„Next week I will travel to Laos for ASEAN meetings, Japan for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Republic of Korea for a bilateral visit,” Benny Wong said in a statement.
“This year we are proud to celebrate 50 years since Australia was ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner. A strong ASEAN supports regional stability, contributes to prosperity and strengthens the rules and regulations that protect us all. „At the ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos, we will advance the results agreed at the Special Summit held in Melbourne earlier this year,” he added.
Benny Wong is attending the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos. He said Australia strongly supports Laos’ leadership as ASEAN Chair.
He noted, „Our friendship with Laos is a long-term development cooperation and people-to-people relationship, built over more than 70 years.”
Penny Wong said she was looking forward to meeting her counterparts from Japan, India and the United States at the Quad Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo. He noted that the Quad is working closely with Indo-Pacific countries and institutions to deliver a positive agenda that responds to the region’s priorities and challenges.
He said, “The Quad will work closely with Indo-Pacific countries and institutions to deliver a positive agenda that responds concretely to the region’s priorities and most pressing challenges. The Quad Foreign Ministers will promote cooperation in infrastructure, supply chains, connectivity, education, research, humanitarian and disaster responses, counter-terrorism and security.
The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Wong called South Korea Australia’s „close friend and a comprehensive strategic partner”. He said he was looking forward to meeting South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Dae-yul in Seoul to implement the results of the 2+2 meeting in Melbourne in May.
He said Australia and South Korea were building strategic alignment with expanded bilateral and regional cooperation, including energy transition and economic security.
Benny Wong said in a statement, „While in the ROK, I will visit the UN Command Buildings in the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone, an enduring symbol of international cooperation in addressing North Korea’s challenges to security and stability.”
„This visit to Laos, Japan and the Republic of Korea is an opportunity to advance Australia’s interests and deepen cooperation with key partners and regional architecture to pursue a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he added. (ANI)
This report is automatically generated from ANI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.
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