ASEAN and Australia this morning agreed to upgrade their partnership to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership to further boost their bilateral cooperation and to contribute to enhancing stability, peace and prosperity in the region.
According to H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, the agreement was made in the 1st virtual ASEAN-Australia Summit this morning.
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and other ASEAN leaders welcomed Australia’s continued support to ASEAN’s core role, especially the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Australia pledged to provide AU$ 5 million for ASEAN for the ASEAN-Australia Health Security Initiative, AU$ 60 million to support the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), and 10 million more doses of COVID-19 vaccines for ASEAN countries.
Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Scott Morrison announced to continue supporting the ASEAN economic recovery, and hoped to visit each of the ASEAN member countries, considering ASEAN a largest trade area and a neighbour of Australia.
He also reaffirmed Australia’s support for all ASEAN-led mechanisms as well as the ASEAN Community Building, ASEAN integration and development gap minimisation.
In the summit, the ASEAN and Australia leaders also exchanged views on the South China Sea, Myanmar and the Korean Peninsula issues.
