PERTH, Australia — Australia on Jan. 18 signed a defense treaty with former colonial power Britain designed to further boost cooperation on military and security issues.
Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith said the treaty was designed “to underpin the ongoing strategic and practical cooperation” between the nations, as well as to reflect their historical relationship. It will see the two countries share information, technology, policy and personnel in a bid to minimize costs, as well as strengthening ties in the fields of cybersecurity, defense reform, equipment, and science and technology.
Smith said the idea for the accord had arisen during Australia-U.K. ministerial talks two years ago, to ensure all “practical cooperation measures, arrangements, protocols, and memorandums of understanding that we have ... be put under a broad strategic framework”.
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