Minister for Defence - Visit to France for counter-Daesh meeting

Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne will travel to Paris from 19 to 21 January to hold talks with her counterparts from the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The discussions will focus on the global threat posed by Daesh. The Minister will also take the opportunity to discuss broader security challenges.

The recent gains by the Iraqi Security Forces in Ramadi are a welcome development and provide a timely opportunity for coalition partners to discuss how we can build on the campaign momentum.

Australia is making a substantial contribution to the international coalition through the Building Partner Capacity and Advise and Assist missions in Iraq. Australia is also a major contributor to the air campaign which is striking Daesh targets in Iraq and Syria.

The Australian Defence Force can be proud of its contribution to the international effort, including the support it has provided to recent operations by Iraqi security forces in Ramadi.

Australia remains committed to the effort to defeating Daesh both in Iraq and Syria, and as a major threat to regional and international security.

We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our coalition partners in the common challenge of defeating this terrorist threat.

Media note:

Information about Australia’s military contribution to the international effort to combat Daesh is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/

Media contacts:

Minister Payne’s office (02) 6277 7800

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999