Canberra: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd put Australia's economic interests at the top of his agenda today for a world trip that will also focus on his country's military deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Rudd leaves tomorrow on the 17-day trip, which will take him to Washington, Brussels, Bucharest, London and Beijing.

Rudd told a university forum in Sydney today that Australia's economic interests would dominate his first world trip as prime minister.

"In all the capitals I will visit, advancing Australia's economic interests will be at the top of the government s agenda," Rudd said in the speech, a draft of which was given to The Associated Press.

He said he would also discuss security policy, climate change, human rights and foreign aid with world leaders.

Ahead of his meeting with US President George W Bush on Friday, Rudd described the United States as "an overwhelming force for good in the world" and "a crucial economic partner".

Bush has said he hopes Rudd will reconsider an election promise to withdraw 550 combat troops, about half of Australia's force in Iraq, by the middle of this year. But Rudd, who was elected in November, has said he will keep the promise.

Rudd is closer to the US position on Afghanistan and will attend a NATO summit in Bucharest to argue that some European countries should shoulder more of the burden in fighting insurgents there. Rudd's speech did not mention Iraq or Afghanistan.

Source : PTI