Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Hosts Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for Bilateral Discussions
Washington D.C. – On July 12, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Australia, the Honorable Richard Marles, to the Pentagon for a significant bilateral meeting. The discussions underscored the enduring strength and deepening collaboration between the United States and Australia, two close allies committed to promoting a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Secretary Austin expressed his pleasure in hosting Minister Marles, highlighting the vital importance of the U.S.-Australia alliance. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to engage in substantive discussions on a range of critical defense and security issues. Key areas of focus included advancing shared strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces, and collaborating on emerging defense technologies.
The leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to upholding international law and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, where all nations can prosper. They discussed cooperative initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security, including efforts to deter aggression and maintain stability. This includes a continued focus on the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which is designed to deepen cooperation on advanced capabilities, including the development of nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
Secretary Austin and Minister Marles also reviewed progress on existing bilateral defense cooperation agreements and explored avenues for further integration of their respective defense capabilities. This commitment to enhanced interoperability ensures that both nations are better positioned to respond to a wide array of security challenges collaboratively. The discussions likely touched upon joint training exercises, intelligence sharing, and the seamless integration of forces for combined operations.
The meeting served as a testament to the robust and evolving nature of the U.S.-Australia alliance, which is a cornerstone of regional security. Secretary Austin conveyed his appreciation for Australia’s unwavering commitment to shared security interests and its significant contributions to global peace and stability. Both leaders expressed their confidence in the continued strength and adaptability of the alliance in addressing the complex security landscape of the 21st century.
This engagement between Secretary Austin and Minister Marles reinforces the deep trust and shared values that bind the United States and Australia, paving the way for continued close cooperation and mutual support in safeguarding regional and global security.
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