The Hon Stephen Smith (left) called upon Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at Marlborough House, London, UK, on 27 November 2008.
Australian Foreign Minister calls on Secretary-General
27 November 2008
Talks focus on democracy, security and global reform
Democracy, security and global reform dominated talks between Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at a meeting in London, UK.
During the Foreign Minister’s call on the Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat on 27 November 2008, Mr Smith and Mr Sharma expressed their shock at the terror attacks in Mumbai, India, on 26 November which led to the death of more than 100 people, with scores injured. Mr Sharma noted that many innocent people from across the Commonwealth had lost their lives in the bomb blasts and said that his condolences went to all those affected.
The Foreign Minister and Secretary-General noted that the Commonwealth has a counter-terrorism work programme in place that is to be reviewed shortly, and which includes a focus on providing legislation and strengthening capacity in small states to meet United Nations and other international obligations.
Mr Smith and the Secretary-General discussed developments in Fiji Islands, including progress towards holding elections and the ongoing co-ordination of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s work with the UN and the Pacific Islands Forum. A senior Commonwealth Secretariat official is currently in Fiji holding talks with the interim government and other stakeholders on the way forward to achieve the restoration of constitutional democracy.
The Secretary-General noted the important role Australia played in the G20. Mr Sharma said he looked to Australia as one of five Commonwealth member countries in the G20, to promote the Commonwealth’s values and principles in the current debate on reform of global institutions, as set out in the Marlborough House Statement earlier this year. The Secretary-General underlined the importance of ensuring that the process for reforming international financial institutions is an inclusive one that takes into account the views of all countries.
Mr Smith and Mr Sharma also discussed the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.
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