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• Commonwealth Secretary-General and Malaysia's Prime Minister Discuss Preparations for CHOGM and Other Commonwealth Issues

Commonwealth Secretary-General and Malaysia's Prime Minister Discuss Preparations for CHOGM and Other Commonwealth Issues

24 October 2005

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon called on Malaysia's Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 24 October 2005 during a visit to Putrajaya.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon meets Malaysian Prime Minister

They discussed preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Malta from 25 to 27 November 2005. This included issues such as the digital divide and ways to promote greater information and communication technology usage and access in the Commonwealth.

The Secretary-General discussed with the Prime Minister the positive role Malaysia has played in the Commonwealth, including its support for the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.

Also discussed was trade liberalisation and the reinforcing of issues on which there is a high level of agreement among Commonwealth countries. They agreed on the importance of pursuing greater market access for developing countries along with an expected reduction in developed country tariffs and market distorting subsidies. These issues give confidence to many developing countries, especially small states with a limited production base.

The Secretary-General also held talks with the Foreign Minister, Dato' Syed Hamid Albar, and the Commonwealth's Special Envoy to Maldives, Tan Sri Musa Hitam.