US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pledged to continue his close relationship with Australia after the sudden departure of longtime Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.
The US State Department announced on Tuesday Mr Pompeo spoke with Ms Bishop's successor, Marise Payne, by phone last week "and congratulated her on her recent appointment".
"The two reaffirmed the close alignment of the United States and Australia and pledged to continue our long history of co-operation on the basis of our shared interests and values," the State Department said in a statement.
Mr Pompeo and Ms Payne are not strangers.
Ms Payne, the former defence minister, joined Ms Bishop, Mr Pompeo and US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for two days at the Australia US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in California in July.
Ms Bishop, after five years as Australia's top diplomat, stepped down after the recent Liberal Party leadership spill that led to Scott Morrison replacing Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister.
