(VOVWORLD) - Australia has unveiled plans to provide 530 million USD in development assistance to Southeast Asia, including Timor-Leste, as it seeks to bolster ties with ASEAN.
 Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (5th from left) takes photo with her ASEAN counterparts. (Photo: VNA) |
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong made the announcement during a ministerial-level meeting with her ASEAN counterparts in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday.
According to Ms. Wong, stronger ties with Southeast Asia have become a priority for Australia, particularly from an economic and security standpoint. Wong said there is huge room for growth in ASEAN-Australia trade, which totaled 127 billion USD in 2021.
Australia and the 10 ASEAN members are signatories to the world’s largest trade deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.