Expanding cooperation in the region

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expanding cooperation on key areas. The Australian newspaper reported on Sunday that the theme of the trilateral talks was consolidation amid growing instability in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the newspaper, the three leaders discussed cooperation in key strategic, defence and infrastructure areas, as well as a number of issues related to joint development of new energy technologies, combating global warming and how to respond to cyber threats. Scott Morrison said: "We had a good opportunity to have a broad discussion on the Indo-Pacific region and see how we can work together in the future, as the situation today calls for deeper cooperation between our countries".

Morrison stressed that the alliance between Australia, the US and the UK has never been stronger than it is today. "The talks that took place were a meeting of great friends and allies who share a vision for the world, building on a long history of friendship and partnership", he said, noting that overall the G7 summit was a great opportunity for liberal democracies and advanced economies to align their views on the challenges of the modern world. "We all stand for a stable, peaceful and open Indo-Pacific space and for free trade in the region. This is in our common interest", the Australian leader stressed.

The Australian Prime Minister also reportedly held meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Health system development and global pandemic preparedness for the future were the main topics of his statements during his meetings with the G7 leaders.