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Australia says defence ministers meeting should focus on terrorism

Australia says the first-ever meeting of Asia Pacific Defence Ministers should focus on fighting terrorism.

The Defence Minister, Robert Hill, says the talks to be held in Singapore in May are unusual but could be very useful.

Senator Hill says there's been a strong acceptance from Defence Ministers from the United States, Japan, India, South Korea and the ASEAN states.

He says the meeting is a step to overcome a past lack of confidence between states in the region:

"We want a closer defence relationship with regional partners because we think that can help us to more effectively to address the issue of international terrorism, transnational crime, drug movements, illegal movements of people. All of these issues we can't adequately address simply as a sole party, but collectively we can make a significant difference."

09/04/2002 20:07:22 | ABC Radio Australia News

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