The new Australian Minister for External Affairs, P.C. Sponder, today issued a statement on the Australian Government’s attitude toward the state of Israel in which he declared that “the Commonwealth Government looks forward to close and friendly relations with the Government of Israel.
“The first Australian Minister to Israel has just arrived at Tel Aviv and the establishment of our legation there will provide further opportunities for cooperation in political, economic and other fields,” the statement added. Referring to the Jerusalem issue, it said: “The question of the status of Jerusalem was the subject of a decision by the General Assembly of the United Nations last December. The question of the implementation of that decision is on the agenda of the U.N. Trusteeship Council, which meets Jan. 19 at Geneva. Australia will, of course, loyally carry out its obligations as a member of the United Nations.
“The Australian Government is anxious for the greatest possible volume of trade with Israel, and it will be one of the functions of the Australian legation at Tel Aviv to facilitate commerce between the two countries. It is the hope of the Australian Government that, following the principles in the charter of the International Trade Organization, an exchange of goods and services can be developed which will add to the prosperity of both Israel and Australia,” the statement concluded.
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