Implementing the White Paper

Initiatives to Enhance Strategic Relationships

Throughout the year, Defence supported an extensive range of strategic relationships through involvement in multilateral arrangements in the Asia Pacific region as well as bilateral defence and security relationships. In 2002-03, Defence strengthened Australia's international defence relationships through visits, exercises and operations. Notable achievements included:

• contributing to the war on terror and to international responses to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
• further developing relationships in the Middle East in support of ADF deployments and our interests in the region;
• strengthening security relationships in the Asia Pacific region, for example through a revised Closer Defence Relations Statement with New Zealand and peace monitoring operations in Bougainville;
• continuing support for the Five Power Defence Arrangements;
• undertaking a range of defence cooperation activities in our region, including the Pacific patrol boat program and support for Papua New Guinea Defence Force reform; and
• contributing to United Nations' activities in East Timor and supporting the establishment of the East Timor Defence Force.

The completion of the Defence International Engagement Strategic Plan, and related plans, added improved definition and focus to Defence international engagement program objectives.

[ Read more: Output Five: Strategic Policy ]