- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) walks with Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the sidelines of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia summits in Hanoi on October 30, 2010. Clinton said that maritime rows should be settled by international law, in defiance of China's call to handle them directly with its neighbours. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images)
October 30, 2010 (KATAKAMI / THE AGE.COM.AU ) --- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Prime Minister Julia Gillard she cannot wait to visit Australia next week.
Mrs Clinton met Ms Gillard on the sidelines of the 16-nation East Asia Summit in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Saturday.
The pair spoke briefly and posed for the cameras as they left a VIP lunch.
Asked if she was looking forward to her visit to Australia, Mrs Clinton said: "Very much.
"I cannot wait to get there.
"I was just telling the prime minister how excited I am."
Before parting ways, the pair shared a kiss and Mrs Clinton said: "It'll be fun."
"I will make it fun," Ms Gillard replied.
Mrs Clinton and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates will be in Australia from November 6 to 8 for the 25th AUSMIN talks.
They will meet Ms Gillard, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Stephen Smith to discuss regional and global issues.
It will be Mrs Clinton's first visit to Australia since she was appointed secretary of state in 2008.
(MS)
