VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Australia disbursed an aid fund worth of AUD $23 million to help ASEAN in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the funds will be distributed to four program activities, namely strengthening of the health system, regional security, migrant workers, and regional digital capacity.

"About AUD $1 million will be used to support the ASEAN Response Fund," Retno said during a teleconference, on Thursday.

On the same occasion, ASEAN invited Australia to work together to prevent the region from being turned into a stage for geopolitical competition.

Retno said that Australia had agreed to a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2005, which contained the principle of rejection of threats and the use of force, commitment to solving problems peacefully, and prioritizing cooperation.

"These principles are expected to continue to be applied amidst the current geopolitical challenges," she added.

Retno said that in the virtual meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne appreciated the ASEAN statement issued by the foreign ministers of member countries on Aug. 8 regarding the importance of maintaining peace in the region.

The minister also said that ASEAN is open to collaborating that creates peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region through cooperation.

"We also reiterated our appreciation for Australia's support from the start for the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific," she concluded. (RRI)