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Australian PM to meet Obama next month

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-27 09:59

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will travel to Washington and hold talks with United States President Barack Obama on March 24.

"I will be discussing with him a coordinated international response to the global economic crisis and how we can work together in Afghanistan," Rudd said in a statement on Friday.

"We will also discuss how we can have even closer cooperation between our two countries on the great shared challenges of climate change, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and the future shape of the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

This will be Rudd's first official meeting with Obama since the latter moved into White House in January.

Rudd said Australia's alliance with the United States was the bedrock of foreign and security policy and a strong relationship with Washington was critical for Australia's future.

"I look forward to using my meetings in Washington to build on the strong ties that already exist between our nations," he said.