March 14, 2018 | 21:42 (GMT+7)
Australia to step up cooperation with ASEAN in counter-terrorism
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is promising to strengthen Australia’s cooperation with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to halt the spread of terrorism across the region, as he prepares for talks with ASEAN leaders on measures to share intelligence and stop foreign fighters.
In an article published by “The Age” on March 14, PM Turnbull hailed the “milestone” summit with ASEAN in Australia this weekend and pledged greater cooperation against violent extremism.
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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull |
“We are indispensable strategic partners and work together to keep our region secure. The rising threat of terrorism and extremism is a shared challenge we can only tackle together,” he wrote.
“As the first Australian Prime Minister to host ASEAN leaders in Australia, I see the potential of the ASEAN-Australia relationship to grow further still. The summit is a reflection of our standing in the region.
“We will use it to build on our deep legacy of cooperation to establish a contemporary, outward-looking partnership for the rapidly changing world we live in,” the PM wrote in the article.
Within the framework of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit from March 16-18, PM Turnbull will chair a Counter-Terrorism Conference where he and ASEAN leaders will strengthen their united approach to the scourge of violent extremism in the region.
Source: VNA