Australia’s Foreign Minister Julia Bishop is touring Southeast Asia on a four-day trip to enhance the country’s relationships with key partners.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julia Bishop (Photo: Reuters)

The minister is scheduled to meet with foreign ministers and other government officials from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines from March 13-17.

In Singapore, she plans to discuss cooperation under the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deliver a lecture at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

She is also scheduled to launch the fifth Innovation Landing Pad, which will assist Australian startups by linking them to business and capital networks in the region, and meet Australian business representatives, alumni and New Colombo Plan scholars.

In Malaysia, Bishop will discuss bilateral relations, including progress under the two countries’ Strategic Partnership and explore opportunities to deepen their economic, trade and security ties. She will later meet with business leaders to discuss the Malaysian economy.

In the Philippines, Bishop will discuss their mutual interests in counter terrorism, regional maritime and security and peace and development in Mindanao.

In addition, she will deliver a keynote address at the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies on regional challenges and opportunities for Australia and the Philippines.

(Source: VNA)