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| Down Under |
| Australian/Asian relations at all-time high |
| 2005-08-09 |
| Australia's Foreign Minister says the diplomatic relationship with South-East Asia is at an historic high. Alexander Downer says the invitation to attend the East Asia Summit in December means Australia will be present at the birth of a dynamic East Asia community. Mr Downer has told Parliament the summit will involve China, Japan, South Korea, the 10 ASEAN countries, India, Australia and New Zealand. "This East Asia Summit brings together the most dynamic economies in the world - 49 per cent of the world's population and 21 per cent of global trade," he said. "So it is an enormous step forward for this country." Mr Downer says Australia will use the opportunity to upgrade its links with the region. " I know the Government as a whole is particularly delighted that Australia has been invited by ASEAN to participate in the East Asia summit," he said. He says negotiations are under way for a free trade agreement linking Australia and New Zealand with the 10 countries of ASEAN. |
| Posted by:God Save The World |