Feature stories
Trade Minister visit to Japan
30 May 2012
Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson with Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister Yukio Edano in Tokyo. The two met for wide-ranging talks on the Australia-Japan relationship.
» Media release: Emerson in Japan for Trade Talks
Foreign Minister Bob Carr meets Thai Foreign Minister in Canberra
28 May 2012
Senator Carr met Thai Foreign Minister HE Mr Surapong Towijakchaikul in the margins of the visit to Australia by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck.
Australia's relationship with Thailand is stronger than ever as we celebrate this year's 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
50th Anniversary of Australian-European Union relations
24 May 2012
Foreign Minister Bob Carr delivered the keynote address at a reception celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Australian-European Union relations.
Senator Carr said Australia's relationship with the EU has matured into a broad-based and forward-looking partnership.
Trade Minister at OECD meeting
24 May 2012
Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson addresses the media following a meeting of OECD trade ministers hosted by Dr Emerson in Paris. He is flanked by Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (left), and Ron Kirk, US Trade Representative (right).
Media release: Trade Minister at OECD meeting
Latin America DownUnder Conference
23 May 2012
On 23 May, Senator Carr outlined the growth and future of Australia-Latin America relations at the inaugural Latin American DownUnder Conference in Sydney.
Speech: Latin America DownUnder Conference
The Council on Australia Latin America Relations
About the Latin America DownUnder Conference
Australia and Malaysia sign free trade agreement
22 May 2012
Trade Minister Craig Emerson exchanges copies of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement with Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Media release: Australia and Malaysia sign free trade agreement
About the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Visit to Solomon Islands
18 May 2012
Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, visited the Pacific Arts Festival village in Honiara 18 May to see venue preparations for the July festival.
Australia is funding eight volunteers to support Solomon Islands host the Festival of Pacific Arts.
Photo gallery: Visit to Solomon Islands, May 2012
Visit to Japan
17 May 2012
During his visit to Japan Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Mr Koichiro Gemba, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, sign the Australia-Japan Information Security Agreement.
Media release: Foreign Minister to visit China and Japan
Visit to Beijing
15 May 2012
On 15 May, his final day in Beijing, Senator Carr met with Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang at Zhongnanhai.
Senator Carr later travelled to the Liaoning provincial capital of Shenyang, where he met with Liaoning Governor Chen Zhenggao and Zeng Wei, the Communist Party Secretary of Shenyang Municipality.
Media release: Visit to Beijing
Visit to Beijing
14 May 2012
Senator Carr travelled to Beijing and met his counterpart, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, on Monday. They discussed the Australia-China bilateral relationship as well as other regional and global issues.
Senator Carr also met Minister Wang of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, and Lt. General Wei Fenghe, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.
Visit to Shanghai
12 May 2012
Senator Carr is on his first visit to China as Foreign Minister.
He will meet Chinese Government officials and Australian business representatives in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenyang.
In Shanghai, he met Vice-Mayor Tu Guangshao to discuss the vibrant relationship between Australia and this important Chinese commercial centre.
Media release: Foreign Minister to visit China and Japan
Budget 2012-2013
8 May 2012
2012-13 International Development Assistance Budget
Australia's four year plan to help the world's poorest
Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio Budget
Further details: www.budget.gov.au
Marles attends the annual meeting of CARICOM
4 May 2012
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles addressed the annual meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers during his visit to Suriname.
Media release: Marles visiting the Caribbean
Speech: Australia's Address to the Caribbean Community council for foreign and community relations (COFCOR)
Mr Marles meets the Suriname Minister for Foreign Affairs (and current Chair of COFCOR), HE Winston Lackin