Source: Internet

A commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas between the ASEAN and Australia was stated at the 25^th ASEAN- Australia Summit in Manila (Philippines). “ The Parties have pledged to strengthen cooperation in areas such as transnational crime, including terrorism and human trafficking, human rights, maritime cooperation, the environment, climate change, biodiversity, and food and energy security”, said the Co-Chairmen of the forum. All sides emphasized the importance of pursuing regional integration and solving the concerns of traditional and non-traditional security through forums where ASEAN plays the central role, like the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Asian Regional Forum (ARF), and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). The summit praised Australia‘s contribution to reducing the development gap and poverty and promoting the sustainable development in the region. The 26^th ASEAN-Australia Summit will be held in Australia in late 2013 or early 2014.