Remarks at bilateral meeting with President Hollande, Parliament House
Mr President, it's a delight to welcome you to Parliament House. This is the first ever visit of a serving French President to Australia.
It's a real honour to be the Australian Prime Minister who receives the first ever French President here in Australia.
Our ties are long-standing and deep, they're warm and yes, they began in the fires of war, but they are new and fresh and modern as well.
It's a strong trade relationship; it's a strong security relationship.
We are in fact neighbours in the Pacific through New Caledonia and I believe that this visit is going to be an important part of renewing, extending and expanding the long-standing bonds between Australia and France.
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