US, Australia welcome Quad consultations in Singapore

The US and Australia today welcomed the recent Quad consultations in Singapore on the Indo-Pacific region and emphasised on supporting an international rules-based order.

In the Indo-Pacific, the relationship between US and Australia has underpinned decades of stability, democracy, and prosperity, the two countries said in a joint statement at the conclusion of their ministerial consultations.

The two-day ministerial consultations was led by Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis from the US side and Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Minister for Defence Marise Payne from Australia.

"The US and Australia highlighted the priority each places on supporting an international rules-based order, alongside allies and partners. In the Indo-Pacific, that order has underpinned decades of stability, democracy, and prosperity, the joint statement said.

The two nations reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, and discussed ways to expand cooperation in connectivity, infrastructure and energy security, it said.

"They welcomed the recent US-Australia-India-Japan consultations on the Indo-Pacific in Singapore and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen trilateral dialogue with Japan. Both nations continue to place a high priority on constructive and beneficial engagement with China, said the joint statement.

Highlighting the importance of US-Australia defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly through full implementation of Force Posture Initiatives between US and Australian forces in Australia, the four leaders emphasised the value of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Enhanced Air Cooperation for improving the interoperability of US and Australian defence forces.

The US and Australia highlighted their commitment to raising the number of Marines rotating to Darwin to the full complement of 2,500 as soon as practicable.

They committed to strengthening bilateral security partnerships with like-minded Indo-Pacific nations through joint training and exercise opportunities.

Emphasising that militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea is contrary to the region's desire for peaceful development, they reiterated the obligation to respect freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea, in accordance with international law.

The US and Australia welcomed the face-to-face talks between the leaders of the United States and North Korea and pledged to maintain pressure and strengthen cooperation to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea.