Trilateral Dialogue between Australia, Germany, NZ

Trilateral Dialogue between Australia, Germany and New Zealand

I have today launched a new trilateral dialogue on strategic and security issues between Australia, Germany and New Zealand. The talks will take place in Sydney on 16-17 February 2006.

The dialogue is being hosted by the Lowy Institute for International Policy (Sydney), in association with the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt (Munich), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It brings together representatives of think tanks, academia and the three governments to exchange views on key issues on the international and regional agenda.

In my address to the trilateral dialogue I will discuss Australia's engagement with Asia and the emergence of regional architecture. Asia's position within the global affairs framework is gaining prominence. The increasing economic possibilities of Asia are now more recognised in Europe which is starting to also focus on the strategic and security implications of this rise.

The links Australia, Germany and New Zealand enjoy draw on shared values and democratic traditions and a likeminded approach to global challenges. The challenges we face are many and complex. Through dialogue we can build on our links to develop common understandings and approaches to these challenges.

The themes explored by the dialogue are the emergence of China and India; the role of the United States; Islamism in Southeast Asia and Europe; and the making of foreign policy.

The trilateral dialogue is an initiative flowing from the visit to Australia and New Zealand in February 2005 by the then German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

The second trilateral dialogue is expected to take place in Germany in 2008.

© Scoop Media