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Chapter TwoOfficial overseas visitsOn 31 July <strong>2011</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong>undertook a State Visit to <strong>the</strong> Kingdom <strong>of</strong>Tonga and represented Australia at a militaryparade celebrating <strong>the</strong> birthday <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> King <strong>of</strong> Tonga,His Majesty King George Tupou V.From 26 February to 1 March <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong><strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> made a State Visit to NewZealand. With a program that included Auckland,Wellington and Queenstown, and a return toChristchurch one year after <strong>the</strong> earthquake inFebruary <strong>2011</strong>, <strong>the</strong> visit celebrated <strong>the</strong> multi-facetedtrans-Tasman relationship and reinforced its depth.From 26 March to 3 April <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> undertook a regional visit to <strong>the</strong> SouthPacific, accompanied by <strong>the</strong> Parliamentary Secretaryfor Pacific Island Affairs, <strong>the</strong> Honourable RichardMarles MP. The program included ceremonial,formal and community events in Kiribati, Tuvalu,Samoa, New Caledonia, Nauru, <strong>the</strong> Federated States<strong>of</strong> Micronesia and Solomon Islands. The <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> met with Heads <strong>of</strong> State in each nation,and in New Caledonia was hosted by <strong>the</strong> FrenchHigh Commissioner. The <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> alsorepresented Australia at <strong>the</strong> funeral for <strong>the</strong> lateKing <strong>of</strong> Tonga, His Majesty King George Tupou V.From 11 to 14 April <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong>made a State Visit to <strong>the</strong> Philippines. A State Dinnerwas hosted in her honour by President BenignoAquino III. The <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> met PhilippineGovernment representatives and senior women<strong>of</strong>ficials from various sectors, and visited severaldevelopment projects.In late April <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> madea State visit to <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates. Shehad formal meetings with His Highness SheikhMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President,Prime Minister and Ruler <strong>of</strong> Dubai; His HighnessSheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CrownPrince <strong>of</strong> Abu Dhabi; and Her Royal HighnessSheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, <strong>the</strong> Mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Nation. Ms Bryce also visited <strong>the</strong> Al Minhad Air Baseoutside Dubai and met with Australian DefenceForce personnel.On 24 April <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong>travelled to Kabul as part <strong>of</strong> a two day visit toAfghanistan. She met with President Hamid Karzaiand visited <strong>the</strong> International Security AssistanceForce Headquarters in Kabul, <strong>the</strong>n continued toUruzgan Province where she stayed overnight at<strong>the</strong> Multinational Base Tarin Kowt. On ANZACDay, she attended <strong>the</strong> dawn service with Australianservicemen and women based in Tarin Kowt, andvisited <strong>the</strong> nearby Malilai Girls’ School.On 19 May <strong>2012</strong> in Dili, Timor-Leste, <strong>the</strong><strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> represented Australia at <strong>the</strong><strong>of</strong>ficial celebrations for <strong>the</strong> tenth anniversary<strong>of</strong> independence, which coincided with <strong>the</strong>inauguration ceremony for <strong>the</strong> newly electedPresident, His Excellency Taur Matan Ruak.From 31 May to 2 June <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong>made a State Visit to <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> Cyprus,reciprocating that <strong>of</strong> President Demetris Christ<strong>of</strong>iasto Australia in <strong>2011</strong>. The <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> heldtalks with President Christ<strong>of</strong>ias, Mr Yiannakis Omirou,The <strong>Governor</strong>-<strong>General</strong> and US Ambassador His Excellency Mr Jeffrey Bleich greet <strong>the</strong> President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States <strong>of</strong> America,<strong>the</strong> Honourable Barack Obama, on his arrival in Canberra on 16 November <strong>2011</strong> (Photo courtesy <strong>of</strong> Howard M<strong>of</strong>fat/AUSPIC)28 OFFICE OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
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