Deputy Secretary General hails good cooperation between NATO and Australia
NATO and Australia have a considerable scope for intensifying practical cooperation and political dialogue. In his visit to Australia from 6-8 February, Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero stressed that NATO and Australia could enhance cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and cyber security.
In Canberra, the Deputy Secretary General met Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Minister of Defence Stephen Smith, Senators Julie Bishop and David Johnson, the Opposition Spokesmen on Foreign Affairs and Defence and Air Chief Marshal Allan Grant "Angus" Houston, Chief of Defence Forces. He also met a range of high-level government officials and briefed members from the Parliamentary sub-Committee on Foreign and Defence Relations. Discussions focussed on Afghanistan and the future development of NATO-Australia Relations.
“Australia has shown great dedication to the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan and is the largest non-NATO ISAF contributor”, the Deputy Secretary General said. “We recognise the sacrifice paid by Australian troops in Afghanistan and we welcome the firm commitment of Australia to our mission.”
The Deputy Secretary General also addressed the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University.