Australia and Laos elevate bilateral relations at Southeast Asian summit

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Leaders of Australia and Laos have signed an agreement that deepens bilateral ties on the final day of a Southeast Asian summit. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone are co-chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ special summit being held on Wednesday in Melbourne to mark 50 years since Australia became the 10-nation bloc’s first external partner. The agreement elevates the relationship to a comprehensive partnership which will become the foundation for collaboration on defense, environment, climate, clean energy, agriculture and education. Laos took over ASEAN’s rotating leadership from Indonesia this year and is pursuing a theme of enhancing connectivity and resilience.