Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women Marise Payne will meet officials in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam this month as part of the Morrison government’s Indo-Pacific outreach strategy. Payne will likely discuss measures to promote bilateral relationships and strengthen cooperation to facilitate the region’s economic and health recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The visits come shortly after Australia and the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) announced a new strategic partnership just last month.
During the trip, Minister Payne aims to address anxieties around Australia’s new military partnership, AUKUS, with the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced in September. Indonesia and Malaysia have criticised Australia’s plan to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines to counter China’s growing influence in the region, saying it could fuel an arms race in Southeast Asia.
On Saturday, Payne co-chaired the Annual Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting with her Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Saifuddin. The meeting was the first between the two sides since bilateral ties were promoted to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January this year. Payne and Saifuddin discussed economic prosperity, society and technology, regional security, defence cooperation, Myanmar’s situation, digital economy, health diplomacy, and resumption of travel.
Payne also discussed equitable distribution and access to COVID-19 vaccines and cooperation on post-pandemic economic recovery, maritime issues, climate change, gender equality, mental health, counter-terrorism, and cyber and health security.
During her visit to Cambodia this week, Payne is expected to convey Australia’s support for the country’s new role as the chair of ASEAN. Payne will also likely discuss Australia’s support to Cambodia and Vietnam via the A$232 million Mekong-Australia Partnership.
In Vietnam, the Minister is likely to discuss the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, launched last week by the prime ministers’ of both countries. Payne will also co-chair and attend the second ASEAN-Australia Women, Peace and Security Dialogue and meet members from the Vietnamese government.
Concerning Indonesia, the official statement mentioned close cooperation between both nations as neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners. Payne will meet her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in Jakarta, where she is expected to discuss measures to promote further stability, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, Payne will exchange opinions on opportunities and challenges for women’s leadership with women leaders across Indonesia’s public and private sectors.
Australian FM Payne Visits Southeast Asia Following Recent Security Agreement With ASEAN
Australian foreign affairs minister Marise Payne visited Malaysia last week to promote Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy. She is also scheduled to travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia this week.
November 8, 2021
Australia's Minister For Foreign Affairs Marise Payne SOURCE: MODERN DIPLOMACY