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Foreign and Defence representatives from Australia and the United Kingdom are expected to meet for their Annual “AUKMIN” ministerial meeting this week.
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Trade talks, security, climate, and troop training will feature highly as UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace host Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in London, Salisbury, and Portsmouth.
Foreign Secretary Cleverly said the meeting will discuss how to intensify efforts by both sides to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“The UK and Australia are the best of mates and for over a century, we have been hard-headed champions of freedom and democracy,” Secretary Cleverly said.
“In an increasingly volatile world, we are pursuing a forward-looking agenda with Australia as a trusted partner and friend.
“Together, we are promoting prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific, boosting trade, and pursuing our vital climate targets.”
On 1 February, the ministers will visit Salisbury Plain to see Australian and UK troops training Ukrainian soldiers.
Soldiers from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania, and the Netherlands are also involved in the joint training exercises.
The ministers will gather at Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on 2 February to discuss prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, broader cooperation on climate, security, and trade.
The ministers will also discuss how UK and Australia can step up their commitments to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees, support the Pacific Island states facing climate emergency, transition to renewable energy and promote low-emission technologies as part of a joint clean tech partnership signed in 2021.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP said ministers will also discuss the progress of AUKUS, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a £9 trillion free trade bloc, and ratifying the bilateral free trade agreement with Australia.
“Australia is our close and valued defence partner, with historic ties spanning the decades,” Mr Wallace said.
“The Australian Armed Forces are providing vital training for the brave Ukrainian men and women here in the UK, learning the skills they will need to return and defend their country.
“We are also progressing our collaboration over the AUKUS program, promoting security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.”
