Visit to Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, Panama and the United States
I will visit Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, Panama and the United States from 25 June to 7 July 2017.
My visit to Argentina, the first by an Australian Foreign Minister in over 15 years, will reinforce our shared commitment to economic liberalisation. I will reiterate Australia's support for Argentina as host of the December 2017 WTO Trade Ministers meeting and the G20 in 2018.
In Colombia I will open Australia's new embassy in Bogotá and I will meet with President Santos and Foreign Minister HolguÃn to strengthen our bilateral relationship and boost trade and tourism links. This will be the first visit to Colombia by an Australian Foreign Minister in over 20 years.
My visit to Panama will be the first by an Australian Foreign Minister, and I will advocate for Australian business interests in an important regional hub.
During my visit to Cuba I will promote our growing commercial interests and strengthen our scientific, cultural and sporting links.
I will also meet many of my Caribbean counterparts in Grenada for the CARICOM Leaders' Summit. Twelve of the Commonwealth's 53 members are in the Caribbean. I will discuss issues of global concern including human rights, and encourage strong participation in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
In Miami I will meet senior politicians and business leaders to further enhance our warm bilateral relationship. The State of Florida has the fourth largest economy and population in the United States and is a key market for Australian trade, investment and industry.