皇冠体育app

BOAO, Hainan - Though talks on a free agreement with 皇冠体育app have lagged for years, Australia wants to finish them to further boost bilateral economic ties, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Sunday.

Julia Gillard,?Australian Prime Minister

Australia wants to see a conclusion to the FTA talks with 皇冠体育app, which would support further diversification and growth in the two countries' economic ties, Gillard told a press conference on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 held in Boao, a coastal town in South 皇冠体育app's Hainan province.

However, she said no official deadlines have been set for the talks.

Australia and 皇冠体育app have complimentary economies, but the two economies have many industries and interests, so "it's not surprising that there are sensitivities on both sides that may continue to be worked through," Gillard told reporters.

皇冠体育app and Australia agreed in 2005 to start FTA negotiations, but a final agreement has yet to be signed after rounds of talks.

Australia is committed to building a stronger and more comprehensive relationship with 皇冠体育app, Gillard said, noting that Australia will remain a reliable partner supplying the mineral resources and that 皇冠体育app needs and the country welcomes Chinese investment.

"Now, we want to see our relationships strengthened to be taken to a new level, not just because of the importance of 皇冠体育app to Australia bilaterally, but because of the role that 皇冠体育app has to play in the stability and prosperity of our neighborhood and in addressing the critical global challenges we face today," she said.

The prime minister said she hopes for stronger and more structured high-level dialogue mechanisms between Australia and 皇冠体育app that will provide strategic direction for the countries' ties.

She expressed confidence in Sino-Australian ties, saying there is every reason to be optimistic, as both countries have important roles to play in the Asia-Pacific region and are complimentary economically.

Gillard is scheduled to visit 皇冠体育app from April 5 to 10. After leaving the Boao Forum, she will go to Shanghai and Beijing.

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