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As a nation with global interests, Australia deals with countries in many regions. The countries which most substantially engage Australia’s interests are those which are influential in shaping Australia’s strategic environment, as well as being significant trading and investment partners. Foremost among these are the three major powers and largest economies of the Asia-Pacific region - the United States, Japan and China - and Australia’s near neighbour, Indonesia. Significant Australian interests are also engaged in Australia’s relationships with the other states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union and its member states, the Republic of Korea, and, in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. East Timor Australia has worked closely with the United Nations and the East Timorese people to assist the future development of East Timor. Australia led the multinational force, INTERFET, which was mandated by the United Nations to stabilise the situation following the vote for independence on 30 August 1999. We have continued to contribute to the UN Peacekeeping Force which took over from INTERFET, and have worked closely with the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in the lead-up to granting of full independence. Constituent Assembly elections were held in August 2001, but the UNTAET mandate was extended until 31 January 2002 to allow the East Timorese Government to establish itself. Australia moved swiftly to respond to East Timor’s development needs and is one of the country’s major aid donors. In July 2001 Australia, East Timor and the United Nations agreed to the Timor Sea Arrangement, which is estimated to give East Timor more than $7b in revenue from existing and planned oil and gas developments in the area. The Republic of Korea The Republic of Korea (ROK) is one of Australia’s most important regional partners and we have worked closely with the ROK to promote common interests in the Asia-Pacific region. Korea was Australia’s fourth largest trading partner in 2000. Australia has a vital interest in rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula and welcomed the historic June 2000 summit meeting between the two Korean leaders. Working closely with key regional partners, we seek to promote stability in North Asia through increased bilateral dialogue with North Korea. Australia’s resumption of diplomatic relations with North Korea, announced in May 2000, will enable us to promote broader regional stability. Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN is the key regional political institution in South-East Asia and has been instrumental in promoting regional political harmony and stability for over 30 years. Australia values greatly its close relationship with ASEAN as a grouping, and with its member states (Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam). Australia’s relations with ASEAN cover trade and investment, as well as cooperation in the technical, cultural, defence and educational fields. Australia is also actively involved in the ASEAN Regional Forum, which promotes regional security dialogue and confidence building, as well as the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference. The South Pacific The South Pacific region, in which Australia has been closely involved for a long time, has been undergoing a period of uncertainty and change, with political crises in Fiji and Solomon Islands. These problems have been produced by a combination of traditional communal frictions, colonial-era decisions and mistakes, and the global pressures which bear especially heavily on small, isolated states. They are problems which will not be solved easily or quickly. Australia currently provides over $500m annually to the independent countries of the region in development assistance - more than any other donor - and, along with New Zealand, maintains an extensive diplomatic network in island capitals. A shared background and experience, and a multi-faceted relationship, incline Australia naturally towards a unique partnership with New Zealand, which is Australia’s fourth largest export market. Australia has a long-standing, close relationship with Papua New Guinea (PNG), whose location makes it of strategic importance to Australia. Pursuing a constructive and productive bilateral relationship is a high priority for Australia and we will continue to support a process of sustainable economic development in PNG, aimed at enhancing its self-reliance. Australia has played a strong role in supporting the peace process in Bougainville, particularly through the Peace Monitoring Group. We have also contributed significantly to the restoration of peace in Solomon Islands, through facilitating ceasefire and peace talks and by leading an International Peace Monitoring Team to Solomon Islands. Australia’s engagement in the South Pacific will remain both broad and deep, and Australia will continue to support local efforts both to advance development and, where necessary, restore stability, in cooperation with those other countries and institutions which have their own long-term relationships with the region. India India has growing strategic and economic importance in global and regional affairs and is an important dialogue partner for Australia in a range of international forums. The Indian Foreign Minister visited Australia in June 2001 and Australia’s future focus will be on expanding further the bilateral trade and economic relationship and security dialogue. Europe Australia has close ties with many of the countries of Europe. We share important social, cultural, historical and political experiences. The European Union is a leading participant in key forums such as the Group of Eight (G8), and the states of Europe make valuable contributions to leading multilateral organisations such as the UN, the WTO and the OECD. As one of the key economic centres of the world, Europe is important to Australia’s trading interests. The EU as a single market is Australia’s largest merchandise trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Australia. The United Kingdom is the second largest single country investor in Australia and is Australia’s second largest destination for outward investment, reflecting historical and cultural links between the United Kingdom and Australia. We also continue to cooperate closely in the Commonwealth. The key central and south-eastern European markets for Australia are Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania, while the smaller transition economies - Slovenia, the Slovak Republic and Bulgaria - also offer some trade opportunities for Australia. Membership of European institutions - the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - by these central and eastern European countries would lead to them becoming more important bilateral partners for Australia. Canada and Latin America The close historical and cultural ties Australia has with Canada will continue to be the basis for an active trade and investment relationship, and close cooperation on international issues. In Latin America, our efforts are focused on expanding Australia’s trade and investment relations. The size and diversity of the markets in the region offer significant opportunities for Australian exporters and investors. As well as supporting the efforts of individual Australian businesses in Latin America, the Australian Government pursues a productive relationship with Latin American countries on a range of international political issues. The Middle East and Africa Australia has growing commercial interests in the Middle East, a significant destination for Australian agriculture, services and manufactures exports. Australia’s most significant relationship in Africa is with South Africa, which is a growing market for Australia’s commercial interests and provides a base for trade with all the countries of the Southern African Development Community.
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