Obama to host Australian prime minister

The White House has just announced Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard will meet with President Obama next month.

Read the statement sent to press below.

President Obama will welcome Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia to the White House on Monday, March 7th.  The President looks forward to discussing with Prime Minister Gillard the strong ties between the United States and Australia, our shared political and economic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, and our work together around the world, including in Afghanistan and as members of APEC and the G20.  This will be Prime Minister Gillard’s first visit to Washington since becoming Prime Minister in June of last year.   Her visit will also mark the 60^th anniversary of the U.S.-Australia alliance.