The Wire

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed a decision today made by ASEAN – the Association of South East Asian Nations – that Australia could be included in the inaugural East Asian Sumit to discuss the creation of a major trade bloc. The Foreign Minister did not say, however, whether Australia is prepared to sign an ASEAN non-aggression pact – a decision which Australia’s inclusion at the summit in December may depend on. Professor Len Perry today, a specialist in Asian Australian Economic Relations at the University of Technology, Sydney, told the Wire why Australia is so keen to strengthen its economic and political ties with its South East Asian neighbours, and to be involved in the decision ASEAN will be making.