Canberra, ACT

On Wednesday 13 September 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received from His Excellency Mr George Dolidze, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of Georgia. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Lali Lomsadze (Counsellor) and Mr George Khojiashvili (Second Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Ekaterine Chokheli.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Marc Mullie, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Olga Cogen (Deputy Head of Mission) and Mrs Andrée Kerremans (Consul). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Marjolijn Van De Geer.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Bello Kazaure Husseini, Letters of Commission accrediting him as the High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mrs Cecilia Yahaya (Minister, Trade and Investment), Ms Aisha Dewa (Minister - Counsellor) and Mrs Gwendy Omijeh (Senior Counsellor). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Aishatu Bello Husseini.

Then, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Huong Nam Ngo, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Hoai Nam Duong (Minister Counsellor), Mr Manh Chu Nguyen (Defence Attaché) and Mr Ngoc Anh Nguyen (First Secretary).

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Dr Ibrahim Baroudi, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Ahmed Bayoumi (Counsellor).

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Dr Michael Pulch, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Fabio Spadi (Counsellor) and Mr Ivano Casella (Counsellor). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Gabriele Pulch.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: His Excellency Dr Ibrahim Baroudi; Mr Mohammed Bayoume; Mrs Olga Cogen; His Excellency Mr George Dolidze and Mrs Ekaterine Chokheli; Mr Hoai Nam Duong; His Excellency Mr Abel Guterres and Mrs Ana Mok Guterres; His Excellency Mr Bello Kazaure Husseini and Mrs Aishatu Bello Husseini; Ms Lali Lomsadze; His Excellency Mr Marc Mullie and Mrs Marjolijn Van De Geer; His Excellency Mr Huong Nam Ngo; His Excellency Mr Michael Pulch and Mrs Gabriele Pulch; Mr Gary Quinlan AO; Ms Lyndall Sachs PSM; Mr Fabio Spadi; Mrs Cecilia Olufolake Yahaya.

Afterwards, at the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic’s Residence, Red Hill, the Governor-General, as guests of the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Dr Hugo Javier Gobbi, attended a reception with the Argentine National Rugby team, Los Pumas.

Later, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project.