ASEAN central to Australia’s vision for inclusive, resilient, open Indo-Pacific: Minister
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said on August 4 that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN-led architecture are central to Australia's positive vision for an inclusive, resilient and open Indo-Pacific.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (Photo: Getty Images)
Sydney (VNA)– Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said on August 4 that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN-led architectureare central to Australia's positive vision for an inclusive, resilient andopen Indo-Pacific.
In a mediarelease, Payne said shewould participate in the ASEAN-Australia Post MinisterialConference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEANRegional Forum via videoconference.
She wouldupdate ASEAN partners on the implementation of Australia’s support to SoutheastAsia on post-COVID-19 recovery, including the implementation of the 500 million AUDpackage of new economic, and security and development initiatives announced atthe ASEAN-Australia Summit in 2020.
The minister wouldalso outline Australia’s support in increasing access to safe and effectiveCOVID-19 vaccines in Southeast Asia.
Australia is delivering this vitalsupport through sharing vaccines as well as a 300-million-AUD commitmentunder the country’s Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative, whichincludes a 21-million- AUD contribution to the ASEAN Centre for Public HealthEmergencies and Emerging Diseases. Australia is also providing 100 million AUD throughthe Quad Vaccine Partnership, according to Payne.
SoutheastAsia’s ability to rebound from the pandemic will be critical for Australia’seconomic recovery, she said, noting that in 2019 - 2020, ASEAN accounted for 113.7billion AUD in two-way trade, and over 259 billion AUD in two-way investment.
Payne said she looks forward to discussing key regional securityissues, including the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), theKorean Peninsula, counter-terrorism and cyber.
ꦬ Regardingthe Myanmar situation, Australia remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s roleon Myanmar and continue to urge the full and timely implementation of ASEAN’sFive-Point Consensus, including the immediate appointment of a Special Envoy onMyanmar, the minister added./.
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Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (Photo: Getty Images) 
