News
Dec 17, 2024
The UK and Australia have reinforced their economic and defence partnership and bolstered co-operation on shared global challenges at their annual ministerial meeting, known as AUKMIN. AUKMIN has taken place since 2006, with the UK and Australia agreeing collaboration in defence, security and foreign policy matters.
The UK foreign secretary David Lammy and defence secretary John Healey have hosted Australian foreign minister Penny Wong and deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles in London, where they discussed cooperation on issues including Ukraine, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting led to the announcement of a series of initiatives including: the deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group to Australia in 2025; extended Australian support for training Ukrainian Armed Forces; and a new submarine programme office in Bristol.
Lammy said: “The UK and Australia have a long and enduring friendship underpinned by close trade ties that are benefiting Brits and Aussies alike.
“The growth mission is the central mission of the government. We want to go further to deepen our cooperation with countries like Australia to boost economic growth, build supply chain resilience and transition to net zero.
“Together, we are modernising our partnership, working to tackle the biggest challenges around the world and furthering our co-operation on defence, security and foreign policy matters.”
Healey said: “Our unique and historic partnership with Australia is more important than ever in the face of increasing global threats.
“Today’s announcements demonstrate how our two nations, working in lockstep, can help drive jobs and growth while reinforcing our collective security.
“Through our joint support to Ukraine, AUKUS partnership and high-end military exercises, we are proving the value of cooperation in delivering security and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.”
