The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and Australia have agreed on the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Partnership.
The Joint Declaration was signed by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and Australia on 1 August 2007 in the margins of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences in Manila, the Philippines.
The Plan of Action reflects the breadth and maturity of the ASEANAustralia relationship and singles out key areas for engagement over the next five years (2008-2013) in the spheres of political and security, economic, socio-cultural and development cooperation. It identifies key areas in which Australia and ASEAN are working together in support of ASEAN integration, including narrowing the development gap, in order to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015 . The Comprehensive Partnership and Plan of Action demonstrate ASEAN and Australian commitment to enhanced regional engagement .
