Judi Moylan (Pearce, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Would the minister inform the House of the state of bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea and of recent developments on the Korean Peninsula?

Alexander Downer (Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Did you have a good lunch?

Alexander Downer (Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You certainly did. I thank the honourable member for her question. It was a great pleasure for all of us to welcome here today the President of the Republic of Korea, President Roh, and also his Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Song. It has been a timely reminder of the close relationship that exists between our two countries. Let me make three points about this visit. First of all, it has been an excellent opportunity for us to discuss the issue of North Korea and to ensure that everything that could possibly be done is being done to enforce the sanctions on North Korea which were introduced by the Security Council. The Australian government has made the point that it is one thing to resume six-party talks—we are much in favour of that—but these talks have to achieve something. They cannot just be talks for the sake of talks. North Korea cannot be rewarded just for returning to talks.

Secondly, it is an opportunity for us to talk about the environmental work done between Australia and Korea. The opposition asked questions about climate change. Australia and the Republic of Korea are founder members of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. Indeed, our two countries co-chair the Task Force on Renewable Energy. So here are two countries out there, addressing the issue of climate change in practical ways.

Thirdly, in terms of the very strong economic relationship between our two countries, Australia and Korea have now agreed to undertake a feasibility study into a free trade agreement between our two countries. We hope that feasibility study will be constructive and will in the end lead to the negotiation of a free trade agreement. So it is a visit that is extremely welcome and a relationship that is very strong.