Australia says Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will travel to Burma this week to discuss ways Australia can support positive reforms and development in one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.

Rudd's office said in a media release Friday that the visit will be the first to Burma by an Australian foreign minister since 2002.

Australia's top diplomat is scheduled to meet members of the new Burmese government and other political leaders, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Rudd is quoted as saying he will use the meetings in Burma to repeat Australia's long-standing calls for genuine progress towards national reconciliation and democratic reform.

Rudd's office said Australia's development assistance to Burma is currently $47 million annually and is on track to reach $50 million by 2012.