Visit to Eastern Europe

I will visit Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia from 9 to 15 July 2017 to strengthen bilateral relations and advance Australia's economic and security interests in the region.

This year Croatia and Australia celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. I will meet President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric to discuss ways to build on our good bilateral relations, our strong people-to-people links and promote opportunities for Australian exporters. I will also attend an event at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, to promote the participation of young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

I will be the first Australian Foreign Minister to make an official visit to both Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

During my visit to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, I will meet Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. I will also meet with an NGO working with Australian Government support to help end violence against women.

In Serbia, I will meet Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic to discuss our strong bilateral relations and growing trade relations. I will also meet with Australian businesses working in the region to discuss opportunities for increased cooperation, including in mining, as well as promote our efforts on women's economic empowerment with a local NGO partner. During my time in Serbia, I will visit and receive a briefing on the Glac Archaeology Project, in which the University of Sydney is a leading partner.