CANBERRA, 3 June 2014 -
03 June 2014 - ASEAN and Australia have agreed to work together to elevate further ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations to greater heights as the two sides celebrate the 40th anniversary of their partnership this year. This was highlighted during the meeting on May 29 of the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb in Canberra.
The meetings were part of the CPR’s visit to Australia from May 27 to June 01, which was among the 40th anniversary commemorative activities.
Both sides also agreed that the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in November 2014 will be an important opportunity for the leaders of ASEAN and Australia to launch a new era of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, including the unveiling of the new 2015-2019 Plan of Action and an ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Joint Statement that will chart the future directions of ASEAN-Australia partnership in political, economic, people-to-people and socio-cultural fields.
“As ASEAN’s first dialogue partner, Australia has been an important partner in ASEAN’s integration efforts for the benefit of our people,” Philippine Ambassador to ASEAN and ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations coordinator Elizabeth P. Buensuceso said.
“ASEAN’s journey as a community will continue beyond 2015 and we are confident that Australia will remain with us in this ASEAN adventure,” Ambassador Buensuceso added. She also briefed Minister Bishop about recent developments and achievements of ASEAN in the three pillars, and thanked Australia for its support to ASEAN economic integration, and its principled stand to champion the rule of law and renounce the use of force in the peaceful settlement of disputes.
During their meeting at the Parliament House in Canberra, the CPR discussed and exchanged views with Ministers Bishop and Robb on matters related to trade and investment cooperation, Australia’s forthcoming trade missions to some ASEAN Member States, negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), tourism promotion, educational and people-to-people exchanges and peace and security issues, including developments in the South China Sea.
Ministers Bishop and Robb made special mention of the new Colombo Plan as a proof of Australia’s strong commitment to strengthen people-to-people links and engagement with ASEAN. The program is a signature policy initiative of the Australian Government, which is designed to increase the number of Australian undergraduate students studying in the Indo-Pacific region.
During their visit to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney from May 27 to June 1, the CPR also met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra and government officials and representatives from the business sector and cultural organizations in the States of Victoria and New South Wales, including the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Heathmont College, Arts Victoria, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and Taronga Conservation Society Australia. They also met with the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh, and business sector representatives in Melbourne, who discussed the importance of enhancing further trade, investment and people-to-people relations between the State of Victoria and ASEAN Member States, including Victoria’s “super trade” missions to some ASEAN Member States in June.They also participated in roundtable discussions on ASEAN-Australia relations with academics and scholars at the Asialink in the University of Melbourne, Australian National University in Canberra and the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney.
Before proceeding to Australia, the CPR attended the ASEAN-Australia Connectivity Workshop in Singapore on May 26, which is also part of the commemorative activities for the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.- END
