Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (centre) and ASEAN leaders at the virtual summit on October 27 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Heviewed the summit as another significantmilestone in the bilateral relationship, noting that annual summits will allowASEAN and Australia, the first dialogue partner of the bloc, to deepen their“already very, very strong ties” and will guide them through an era of profoundchange in the Indo-Pacific.
“ASEAN is at the centre of the Indo-Pacific. And we backthis, both through our words and our actions,” he affirmed.
Morrison announcedthe Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative to drive cooperation, supportimplementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and deepen hiscountry’s investment in the region's future.
It will provide 124million AUD (over 93 million USD) to fund projects, jointly identified by ASEANand Australia, to address complex and emerging challenges, including COVID-19recovery, terrorism, transnational crime, energy security and transition tolower emissions technology, the circular economy, and healthy oceans.
At the summit, leadersof ASEAN and Australia agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensivestrategic partnership.
PM Morrison noted thepartnership establishment underscoresAustralia’s commitment to ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific andpositions their partnership for the future, and that a strong, united, andresilient ASEAN is vital to the region’s success and supports Australia’s ownsecurity and prosperity.
To mark this new chapter, Australia said it will invest 154 million AUD into itscooperation with ASEAN, and the country supports a peaceful, stable, resilient,and prosperous region, with ASEAN at its heart.
The Australian PM underlined his country’s commitment toprovide the Indo-Pacific region with at least 60 million COVID-19 vaccine dosesby the end of 2022. From late 2021 to mid-2022, it will share at least 10million doses from its domestic supply with ASEAN countries.
Speaking at the event, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong spokehighly of Australia’s active engagement with ASEAN and welcomed itscontribution via the Australiafor ASEAN Futures Initiative.
IndonesianPresident Joko Widodo encouraged ASEAN and Australia to enhance cooperation topromote the building of strategic trust, thus contributing to regionalstability and peace.
Meanwhile,Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob highly valued Australia’s strong assistancefor ASEAN’s efforts to minimise impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thai PM PrayutChan-o-cha called on ASEAN and Australia to strengthen ties in public health,economic recovery, and people-to-people connectivity./.
VNA
