MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Kieren Keke, and I today signed a Memorandum of Understanding which governs Australia's development assistance to Nauru.
Australian development assistance to Nauru supports health, education, economic and financial management and public sector capacity building, including policing assistance.
The MOU represents the Australian Government's commitment to help Nauru restore essential infrastructure and services and to improve economic self-sufficiency.
In 2008-09, the Australian Government will provide up to $29 million in Official Development Assistance to Nauru. This includes funding under this MOU, as well as AusAID bilateral and regional programs and other activities managed by the Australian Federal Police and the Attorney-General's Department.
The MOU underlines the strength of the bilateral relationship and of Australia's close cooperation with Nauru in the region.
The MOU also takes into account the closure of the Offshore Processing Centre on Nauru and as a result reflects an increased focus on effective development assistance to Nauru.
The Offshore Processing Centre on Nauru was closed at the end of March 2008.
Australia and Nauru share views and commitments on many significant regional issues, including the restoration of democracy in Fiji and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
I look forward to increased cooperation between Australia and Nauru through the revised MOU and the subsequent negotiation of a Pacific Partnership for Development.
During the MOU signing ceremony today, I conveyed to Dr Keke a proposed timetable for negotiation of a Pacific Partnership for Development, with a view to concluding an agreement by June 2009.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555