John Kerry, Ash Carter meet with Australian counterparts

BOSTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter are meeting with their Australian counterparts in Boston to discuss security and trade issues.

Tuesday's talks with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne will focus on the alliance between the countries and on future regional and global coordination _ including in the Asia-Pacific region.

The discussions also will focus on ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism, with a spotlight on the future of Afghanistan and the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group.

Other topics include the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement trade deal and the response to the humanitarian crises in the Middle East.

Following an afternoon press conference, Kerry will give a talk at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge.