Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Photo: VNA)At the plenary session of the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit in Melbourne onMarch 6, the Australian PM affirmed that Australia’s destiny lies in SoutheastAsia more than anywhere else in the world, and Australia pledges to fully cooperatewith ASEAN member states in the framework of ASEAN and through many otherimportant forums such as the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation.
He said that the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit to commemorate 50 years oftheir partnership affirms the confidence in ASEAN’s central role in the region’sprosperity and security as well as demonstrates the two sides’ vision forcooperation in the next 50 years.
Positioning the ASEAN – Australia partnership will help both sides seize andshape the opportunities transforming the region to ensure ensure that theirrelations are a partnership for the future” which is anchored in the enduringfriendship and trust, and see the ambition of the Comprehensive StrategicPartnership realised in new, deeper and more diversified engagement with ASEAN,he stressed.
He described this as a foundation for ASEAN and Australian consumers andbusinesses to access new products and new markets, adding the two sides could achievethe net-zero target in a way that guarantees regional energy security, protectsnational economic sovereignty and brings a new wave of clean energy trade andinvestment.
Albanese held that bothsides need to work to turn the natural connections into greater practicalcooperation in the areas of marine sustainability, blue economy and thesecurity of oceans and seas.
Australia’s commitment tothe future focuses on encouraging and training the next generation of emergingleaders, he said, underlining Australia’s pledge to work with ASEAN to makesure the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality andindependence are upheld, ensuring that the region is secure, resilient, open,inclusive and prosperous.
The regional architecture, with ASEAN at its centre, has an important role toplay in pursuing these goals and for promoting trust and transparency among thenations, she added./.
VNA
