(VOVworld) - Australia has assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. According to Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, the Presidency provides an important opportunity to advance Australia’s national security interests and priorities and to demonstrate its active contribution to the Council. Australia will focus its Presidency on strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism, including the threat from foreign fighters and violent extremism. Australia will also strengthen the effectiveness of police deployments in UN peacekeeping operations after the first UN Security Council’s resolution on UN policing was adopted.