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Political Dialogue Programme New Zealand / Australia. Part 2: Australia

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From February 7th to February 12th 2016, a high-level delegation of the Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU) from Germany and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung led by Dr Klaus Schüler, Federal Director of the Christian Democratic Union Party, together with Dr Gerhard Wahlers and Frank Priess continued their political dialogue programme in Australia in order to develop existing ties with political parties and exchange views on common global challenges. The programme was organized and accompanied by Dr Beatrice Gorawantschy, Director of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Programme Political Dialogue.

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Conversational partners in Australia included among others Minister of Finance Mathias Cormann, who is also Co-Chair of the Australia-Germany Advisory Group (Recommendations of the Advisory Group Collaboration, Innovation & Opportunity). He gave a much-noticed speech about German-Australian relations in Berlin last year with the motto “There is no limit to the potential of Australia-Germany relations”. This potential became apparent in the discussion with Australian Minister for Justice and Minister on counter-terrorism, The Hon. Michael Keenan, the meeting with Senator Linda Reynolds who is also member of the Asian Women Parliamentarian Caucus of KAS, and the exchange of views with MP Dan Tehan, Chairperson of the Parliamentary joint committee on “Intelligence and Security”, too.

Furthermore Dr Klaus Schüler was keynote speaker at several luncheon discussions regarding current political and strategic challenges in Germany and Europe attended by representatives of German and Australian companies and think tanks.

The bottom line of these numerous talks and consultations is that Germany, Australia and New Zealand are facing similar global challenges especially in the field of foreign policy and security policy, e.g. combatting international terrorism or dealing with refugees and the causes of migration. There was also a great concordance of opinions throughout a range of talks on domestic political challenges. Sharing the same values and political principles Germany, New Zealand and Australia have a great interest in fostering cooperation.

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung would like to enhance activities in this region in order to contribute to the strategic dialogue about 21st century challenges. This includes the dialogue with the political parties partnering with the CDU in New Zealand and Australia. In the light of common values, beliefs and interests various opportunities for collaboration could be found during this political programme.

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Contact

Christian Echle

Christian Echle bild

Head of the Department Asia and Pacific

christian.echle@kas.de +49 (0) 30 26996 3534

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