Canberra (VNA) – Australia always respects ASEAN’s central role which is crucial to encouraging a law-based order in the East Sea, following the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of The Hague, said Attorney General George Brandis.
Addressing a ceremony in Canberra, Australia on September 15 marking the 49 th founding anniversary of ASEAN, Brandis said as the longest standing dialogue partner of the bloc, Australia always makes efforts for ASEAN’s success.
He recalled Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s remarks at the recent ASEAN-Australia Summit in Laos that the two sides are close partners by geography and by choice.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi, who is also Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Canberra, said the ASEAN-Australia strategic partnership is the foundation for their stronger cooperation in trade, security, education and disaster mitigation.
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