Washington, 16 September 2021 (TDI): Australia-U.S. Ministerial bilateral consultations are taking place in the USA this year. The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with their Australian counterparts Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defense Minister Peter Dutton today at the State Department, USA.
During the meeting, according to Spokesperson Ned Price, both the officials discussed the increased cooperation for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and the enduring alliance between both countries. They also celebrated with pride the 70 years of the ANZUS Treaty and outlined the measures to ensure the coming 70 years of security and peace in the Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and the Australian Foreign Minister Payne also iterated their support for the rights of the claimant states in the South China Sea, the rules-based order, and the ASEAN centrality.
Additionally, both the officials discussed the bilateral and multilateral measures to combat Covid-19 in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) between Australia and the U.S. are under discussion today.
