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| Julie Bishop, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Image: Flickr User - UN Geneva) |
Heads of all Australian overseas missions will be briefly brought back for a few days next month to contribute to the shaping of the nation’s foreign policy, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Wednesday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The unprecedented two-day gathering in Canberra will bring together 113 ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general who will help the government finalize its long-awaited White Paper.
"At a time of significant global uncertainty, it is vital that Australia harness the experience and intellect of our most senior diplomats," Bishop told the Sydney Morning Herald.
She said the meeting would help to strengthen the nation’s influence and standing in the world. The government last published a roadmap for conducting its foreign, trade and development policies on the global arena in 2003.
The recall will cost Australia an estimated $1.1 million in flights and accommodation and $70,000 in venues, the newspaper said, adding the money will come from the existing budget.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.