Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has become the first Australian leader to plant a tree at United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May’s private residence.
The leafless English oak was planted at Chequers Court, the country retreat of UK leaders, after a bilateral meeting with his counterpart on Saturday local time.
Relations between the two international leaders seemed close, with the pair admiring the tree from a distance after Mr Turnbull added a final shovel of soil.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull planted this English oak at Chequers Court, the country retreat of UK leaders. He and UK Prime Minister Theresa May later admired the tree from a distance
Mr Turnbull was seen digging into the dirt as his wife Lucy, Mrs May and her spouse Philip looked on
This followed a more tense Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, where Mr Turnbull was caught texting on his phone during the UK Prime Minister’s speech.
The two leaders addressed trade opportunities and cyber security over a lunch of fillet beef, turbot and poached rhubarb.
Ms May and Mr Turnbull spoke about their new cyber security agreement, under which Australia and the UK will work closely to deter and counter suspicious cyber activity.
Ms May and Mr Turnbull spoke about their new cyber security agreement, under which Australia and the UK will work closely to deter and counter suspicious cyber activity
The pair shook hands and seemed to be getting along well at the UK Prime Minister’s private residence
The leaders also discussed a range of security issues, including North Korea, and Syria.
‘Whether it is in chemical weapons, whether it is in the threat of terrorism, cyber security, you see so many challenges to the rule of law,’ Mr Turnbull told reporters.
‘The maintenance of which is essential to not just our security, but our prosperity.’
Prime Minister Turnbull (left) and Therese May (right) were deep in discussion as their spouses Philip May (left) and Lucy Turnbull (right) followed.
Mr Turnbull welcomed the increased UK presence in the Asia-Pacific, through three new diplomatic posts.
The leaders also agreed to future collaboration on science and innovation, in particular in universities.
Mr Turnbull joins the likes of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bill Clinton in the group of world leaders who have planted trees at the historic residence.
The leaders (pictured) also discussed a range of security issues, including North Korea, and Syria.