Ecuadorian minister to meet Assange

Ricardo Patino, Ecuador's Foreign Minister

A SENIOR Ecuadorian government minister is to visit London on the eve of the first anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's dramatic arrival at the country's embassy. 
 
Ricardo Patino, Ecuador's Foreign Minister will meet with Assange at the embassy in London, and has offered to hold talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague to try to reach an agreement over Mr Assange's future.

The Australian has been inside the embassy since June 19 last year and has since been granted political asylum.

He is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sexual allegations by two women - which he denies.
Assange fears he will be extradited to the United States for questioning over publication by WikiLeaks of confidential information if he travels to Sweden.

An Ecuadorian government spokesman said: "On Sunday 16th June Ricardo Patino, Ecuador's Foreign Minister, will be visiting London in order to meet with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy, on the eve of the first anniversary of Mr Assange in our diplomatic premises.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador has informed UK authorities that Mr Patio will be in London and has offered to meet with Foreign Secretary William Hague to discuss the case of Julian Assange."