ISTANBUL

A special leaders' summit of Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicked off on Tuesday in Melbourne, in southeastern Australia.

This marks the second time Australia is welcoming leaders from ASEAN member states.

“This week, Australia will proudly host Southeast Asia’s leaders in Melbourne for the ASEAN-Australia Summit. Working together, we are shaping the future we want to see for our region,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on X.

“Good relations with our neighbors in Southeast Asia means a more stable region, more secure jobs, and more investment for Australia,” Albanese added.

Albanese also held sideline meetings with leaders of the bloc’s member states, including Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore as well as Malaysia.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered Canberra to host Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, which it will procure under the AUKUS, for port visits once ready.

ASEAN and Australia are commemorating 50 years of relations as Canberra is the Southeast Asian regional bloc’s oldest official dialogue partner.