Visit to Liechtenstein

I will visit Liechtenstein from 12-13 July to strengthen bilateral relations and promote Australia's business and economic interests in the region. Australia and Liechtenstein enjoy a warm relationship, underpinned by our common commitment to promoting democracy, good governance and human rights around the world.

In Vaduz I will meet with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr Aurelia Frick, to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues, as well as our ongoing cooperation as members of international organisations including the United Nations (UN).

We will discuss global security and counter-terrorism efforts, particularly Australia's contribution to the Global Coalition against ISIS and Liechtenstein's work to disrupt terrorist financing. As a member of the Council of Europe Select Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), Liechtenstein is working both unilaterally and in cooperation with international bodies to ensure their offshore financial services sector is not utilised to channel money to fund terrorism.

I will announce that Australia will provide an additional $150,000 to the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria. The Mechanism (established by a UN General Assembly resolution drafted and led by Liechtenstein) will collect and retain evidence of international crimes committed in Syria. As a co-sponsor of the General Assembly resolution, I will reiterate Australia's commitment to holding criminals to account for atrocities committed in Syria and our unwavering pursuit of justice for all victims. This contribution is in addition to our announcement in February 2017 of $150,000 to help fund start-up costs.

Australia and Liechtenstein are both strong supporters of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and work closely on ICC issues through the ICC Informal Ministerial Network. We will discuss how to best ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the ICC, including the exercising of its jurisdiction under proposed crime of aggression amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court that were adopted at the Kampala Review Conference in 2010.

We will also discuss our ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment and the important role this can play in sustaining global peace and security.