SYDNEY, Australia: On August 16, the leaders of Australia and New Zealand emphasized the importance of the Aukus trilateral defence pact for regional security, recognizing the challenging strategic environment they face—the most difficult since World War II.
Although New Zealand is not a formal member of Aukus, a defence agreement between the United States, Australia, and Britain, it is exploring collaboration on “pillar two,” which focuses on shared military technology.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed a strong interest in including New Zealand in this aspect of the agreement, highlighting the shared values and objectives between the two nations. The United States has also indicated its openness to New Zealand’s involvement in Aukus. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed the close security ties with Australia, stressing the goal of full interoperability between the two countries’ defence forces.
Both leaders voiced concerns about destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and emphasized the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, they underscored the growing threat of cyber intrusions, stating that any cyberattack threatening territorial integrity or political independence would be considered an armed attack. This commitment reflects the nations’ resolve to work closely together to ensure their security and prosperity in an increasingly volatile region.
