ASEAN has security, not just economic, benefits

APART from economic benefits, it also pays to belong to ASEAN for security reasons, writes Matthew Killoran.

FOREIGN fighters and wannabe jihadists are still slipping into the Philippines to set up the next ISIS stronghold, but high-level talks between world leaders this week could be key to stamping out the terror group in the region.

Counter-terror operations will be high on the agenda of the Association of South-East Asian Nations being hosted for the first time by Australia this weekend.

Agreements are expected to be signed which will see the nations’ law enforcement agencies share financial data to track cash flowing between countries to fund terror operations, as well as strengthening counter-terror laws between the countries.

The denuclearisation of North Korea, trade, human trafficking and the dispute over the South China Sea will also be on the agenda.

Australia’s ongoing involvement in ASEAN opens doors with its member countries and can lead to arrangements like Singapore’s $2 billion investment in a military training base expansion at Shoalwater Bay and Townsville.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday is one of the first events, with the advancement of the $2 billion project potentially to be discussed.

Soldiers head back to the front lines in Marawi, where the Philippines Army has taken on ISIS terrorists.

While ISIS has been flushed out of the southern Filipino city of Marawi, after a five-month battle which left more than 1000 people dead, the terror group continues to be a concern in the region.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said Australia would continue its co-operation with the Philippines government and military to bolster its defence force’s capacity to fight back against the Islamic insurgents.

“Australia will do what we can to work with the Philippines, to support them in their efforts to counter terrorism,” she said.

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is one of the few ASEAN leaders to not attend the meeting in Sydney, but Ms Bishop said this was expected as he was focused on domestic issues. Turnbull yesterday said education, economic co-operation, countering terrorism and other security challenges would all be raised with ASEAN leaders.

“We will discuss the ongoing threat posed by North Korea and the importance of maintaining pressure through economic sanctions,” he said.

WHAT IS ASEAN:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations holds biennial meetings with leaders of its member nations with the idea of maintaining stability in the region and boosting economic growth. The meeting in Sydney, beginning on Friday, is in addition to the usual biennial meetings.

WHO ARE ITS MEMBERS:

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Australia is not a member, but plays a strong role and became a strategic partner in 2014. Australia has been increasing our significance within the forum. Turnbull is the first Aussie prime minister to host ASEAN leaders domestically.

WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES THIS YEAR:

The denuclearisation of North Korea is one of the key priorities, with the nations expected to recommit to maintaining the existing sanctions. Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and counter-terrorism are expected to dominate Saturday’s talks with a memorandum of understanding around information and intelligence.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT:

ASEAN features Australia’s biggest and most influential neighbours. The 10 ASEAN nations have a combined trading activity of $2.85 trillion dollars. Australia’s trade with ASEAN members amounts to more than $100 billion, which is more than either the US or Japan.

IS IT STILL RELEVANT:

Former Indonesia foreign minister Marty Natalegawa this week warned that ASEAN was at risk of losing its relevance, and had to aim to achieve more than just convening conferences. But as there is a global push towards protectionism, keeping open dialogue between these trading partners will be essential for Australia’s economy and national security.

WHAT HAS IT ACHIEVED:

One of its recent achievements is the single aviation market/open skies policy, which has allowed enabling more free travel and unified security arrangements between nations acting as a big boon for tourism. It has also resulted in the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, while Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are all signatories to the TPP-11 trade deal signed last week.