close
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Leaders of Australia and Laos signed an agreement that deepens bilateral ties on Wednesday on the final day of a Southeast Asian summit.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone are co-chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ special summit being held in Melbourne to mark 50 years since Australia became the 10-nation bloc’s first external partner.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS MEET TO DISCUSS BURMESE CIVIL WAR, SOUTH CHINA SEA CONFLICTS
The agreement elevates the relationship to a comprehensive partnership which will become the foundation for collaboration on defense, environment, climate, clean energy, agriculture and education.
Laos, the bloc’s poorest nation, took over ASEAN’s rotating leadership from Indonesia this year and is pursuing a theme of enhancing connectivity and resilience.
The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Albanese said the key themes of Wednesday’s discussions would include trade, investment, climate change, clean energy and maritime cooperation.
These will be reflected in the leaders’ communique to be adopted later on Wednesday.
China’s increasing assertiveness in the region and the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, as ASEAN state, have also loomed over the three-day summit.
Myanmar has been denied political representation at the meeting over its failure to stem violence in that country since a military junta seized control in 2021.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão is also attending the summit after ASEAN agreed in principle to admit Asia’s newest country.
The former independence fighter has called on ASEAN do more to restore peace and democracy in Myanmar.
If the ads you see in December feel a little too accurate, you are not…
Recently, you may have received alarming emails like the one below from "sharfharef" titled "Wallet…
Technology shouldn't feel confusing or intimidating, especially when most of us are just trying to…
Parents everywhere wrestle with one big question. What is the right age to let a…
Elite universities like Harvard, Princeton and Columbia spend fortunes on research, talent and digital infrastructure.…
Air taxis keep gaining momentum, yet one challenge keeps resurfacing: many cities have few places…