Downer to visit Brazil, Mexico
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer will make brief visits to Brazil and Mexico this week to discuss bilateral and global trade issues.
In Brazil, Mr Downer is scheduled to meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Foreign Minister Celso Amorim to discuss the recent round of World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong.
Both Australia and Brazil are members of the Cairns Group of major food exporters, which has been lobbying the EU to relax agricultural tariffs and subsidies.
In Mexico, Mr Downer is scheduled to meet Secretary of Energy Fernando Elizondo Barragan to promote "Australia's ability to help meet Mexico's energy needs," Mr Downer's office said.
"Australia's bilateral merchandise trade with Mexico has increased significantly over the past year, highlighted by a significant surge in coal exports," it said.
The trip - which runs from today until Friday - coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Australia's diplomatic ties with Brazil and the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations with Mexico.
(Published The Advertiser, 4 January, 2006)
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