In a joint statement on September 18 to mark the third anniversary of the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) trilateral security alliance, the leaders of these countries announced that they are discussing with Canada, Japan and New Zealand about expanding cooperation.
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| AUKUS, established on September 15, 2021, is a security partnership to enhance the promotion of a free and open, secure and stable Indo-Pacific. (Source: X) |
In a joint statement posted on the White House's official website, the leaders reaffirmed their "shared commitment to this historic partnership" and noted significant progress to date on two key pillars.
For Pillar I, which is cooperation in the construction of conventionally armed and nuclear-powered submarines, the three countries affirmed that they are working to support Australia in building the capacity to manage and operate its own submarine fleet starting from 2030.
The US, UK and Australia have invested significantly to upgrade their respective submarine industrial facilities.
In August this year, AUKUS partners signed a historic international agreement on cooperation related to naval nuclear propulsion systems.
When effective, the agreement will allow the United States and the United Kingdom to transfer to Australia materials and equipment necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of safe and secure nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines, the statement said.
The agreement also reaffirms the existing non-proliferation obligations of the AUKUS countries and Australia's commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On Pillar II, building advanced capabilities, the joint statement said the three countries are moving forward with AUKUS’s original commitment to information and technology sharing, as well as unprecedented integration of innovation communities, industrial bases and combat capabilities.
The aim is to support the common goal of building advanced capabilities needed to enhance deterrence to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Regarding the additional participation of new partners in Pillar II, the statement said, AUKUS countries are "consulting with Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for cooperation on advanced capabilities".
The AUKUS trilateral security mechanism, established on September 15, 2021, will provide nuclear submarines to Australia in the next decade and cooperate in developing other advanced weapons.
Following the announcement, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair confirmed that the country is in talks to join the AUKUS project, but did not disclose details.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the consultation was "a continuation of a careful exploration of the strategic and economic implications of joining 'AUKUS Pillar 2'".
New Zealand will continue to engage openly and transparently with its people on this issue, he stressed, noting the country's long history of being nuclear-free.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tron-3-nam-ra-mat-quan-he-lich-su-aukus-he-lo-ke-hoach-keo-3-nuoc-vao-cung-thuyen-286763.html
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