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“Australia remains steadfast in its support of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Australia will work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure full compliance with our NPT obligations as a Non-Nuclear Weapons State,” said Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, Will Nankervis.
He said Australia remains committed to strengthening international confidence in the integrity of the international non-proliferation regime and Canberra upholds global leadership in this area. Read also: China’s top expert: Brainless Australia is now the target of nuclear war
“As a party to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, Australia understands the importance of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty for Southeast Asian countries. Australia will always ensure that our actions support this important agreement,” he said in a written statement received by Sindonews on Tuesday (21/9/2021).
At the same time, Nankervis said, Australia is a strong supporter of a rules-based maritime order. We support all countries to be able to exercise their rights and freedoms in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He said Australia would continue to partner with ASEAN members, including in the sustainable development of marine resources and combating challenges such as illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, guided by the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
“Positive partnerships and cooperation are at the core of Australia’s approach to the region. The ASEAN-Australia partnership has grown significantly since last year, with agreements to upgrade our leaders’ meeting to an Annual Summit and new collaborations to support an effective health response to the pandemic, including access to safe and effective vaccines – and a path to economic recovery. , “he said.
Nankervis said Australia is a strong supporter of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Australia, he explained, is committed to the principles in the Outlook, including ASEAN centrality, openness, transparency, inclusivity, good governance, a rules-based framework and respect for sovereignty and international law.
“And, we are also committed to continuing real cooperation under the four Outlook areas, maritime, connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals and economic development,” said Nankervis. Also read: Unlike Indonesia and Malaysia, the Philippines Supports the AUKUS Alliance to Fight China
He explained that Australia has actively participated in the ASEAN-Plus Defense Ministers Meeting and has cooperation in the fields of military medicine, peacekeeping operations, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
“Australia is also committed to upholding our obligations under the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, as we agreed in 2005, and to working with ASEAN and its member states to advance peace and prosperity in our region. We are doing this so that we can all grow and develop in an open, stable and inclusive region, with ASEAN as the center,” he said.
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