Australia seeks a balance of power in South East Asia where no country dominates and no country is dominated, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in her address at the Australia–Southeast Asia forum in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (July 10).
00:00Arsene has welcomed Australia's support in the Arsene centrality approach, stressed by the country in the Australia Southeast Asia Forum held in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
00:12Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Arsene centrality is vital to the future of the region.
00:19As ASEAN's first dialogue partner and as a comprehensive strategic partner, Australia sees ASEAN centrality as vital to the future of our region.
00:29And ASEAN's unique role enables it to build norms and to set expectations for powers both great and small, a role that is even more important in these times of heightened geostrategic uncertainty.
00:45I want to make this clear. Australia continues to stand by our trade agreements and we will make them even stronger.
00:52Our recent upgrade to ANSFTA demonstrates our shared commitment to a rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core and Australia's enduring economic commitment to ASEAN.
01:05We believe in this because we know trade enables development and growth through openness and we also know the benefits to regional stability that economic integration brings.
01:18And looking ahead, ASEAN and Australia are determined to tackle future challenges amid economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
01:29Our partnership will be guided by the recently adopted ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
01:37And in this context, we welcome Australia's support for ASEAN centrality, including through the joint statement on ASEAN and Australia's shared future, which reaffirms our commitment to regional peace.
01:50Wang also said Australia will continue keeping its markets open to ASEAN and remain a reliable partner.
01:57She said Australia is listening to what matters to ASEAN and delivering on shared priorities with its regional partners.
