Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged Australia to expand its economic, security and people-to-people ties with Southeast Asia. Closer regional links would strengthen the country's competitiveness and resilience in an increasingly fragmented world. Lee pointed to opportunities for joint projects, such as in the digital and green economies, healthcare and counterterrorism.

He also stressed the importance of upholding the multilateral trading system. Australia and its regional partners should, where possible, preserve, reform and strengthen the framework of the World Trade Organization.

Lee cited the partnership between Singapore and Australia as a model for broader regional engagement. The two countries upgraded their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year and recently agreed to maintain supplies of diesel, petrol and natural gas in times of crisis.

Key points:

• Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Australia to deepen its economic, security and people-to-people ties with Southeast Asia.
• Deeper regional ties would strengthen Australia's competitiveness and resilience in an increasingly fragmented world.
• Australia should be a very close partner of ASEAN.

Source: CNA (Channel NewsAsia) (English)