Visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland

I will visit the United Kingdom and Ireland from 23 to 24 February to strengthen bilateral relations and advance the Australian Government's economic diplomacy and innovation agendas.

In London, I will meet with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to discuss a range of strategic issues including the United Kingdom's negotiations to leave the European Union (EU). I will also discuss our interest in negotiating an Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement at an appropriate time.

The United Kingdom is Australia's fifth largest two-way trading partner, with two-way goods and services trade valued at $27 billion in 2015/16, and the second largest source of foreign investment into Australia (totalling $500 billion as at the end of 2015).

Australia partners with the UK in a range of strategic and security forums, including efforts against ISIL and counter-radicalisation.

In Dublin, I will meet the Irish Foreign Minister, Charles Flanagan, to discuss economic, political and security developments in Europe, and launch a photographic exhibition marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Ireland.

The Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor and I will visit Dogpatch Labs – a start-up hub in central Dublin. We will discuss Ireland's innovation policy and I will highlight Australia's approach to innovation and digital transformation.

I will also meet the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce to discuss an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement and options for deepening trade and investment with Ireland. In 2015/16, Australia's goods and services trade with the EU was valued at $95.6 billion.