- Foreign Secretary to use keynote speech to argue global
aggressors “emboldened in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold
War”
- Will argue the democratic world order must “respond together”
to global threats, including closer ties with democracies in the
Indo-Pacific.
- Sets out plan to take UK-Australia relationship into a “bold
new era” of closer defence, tech and economic cooperation.
Foreign Secretary will use a keynote speech in Sydney today (Friday 21
January) to outline how closer defence, tech and economic links
with Australia will help Britain counter malign activity from
Russia and China.
In a wide ranging foreign policy speech at the Lowy Institute,
Truss will warn global aggressors “are emboldened in a way we
haven’t seen since the Cold War. They seek to export dictatorship
as a service around the world. That is why regimes like Belarus,
North Korea and Myanmar find their closest allies in Moscow and
Beijing.”
She will say Britain – and western liberal democracies – must
work more closely with Australia and other allies in the Indo
Pacific to “face down global aggressors”. Truss will
argue: “Threats to freedom, democracy and the rule of law are
not just regional – they’re global. And so we must respond
together. We need to work with partners like Australia, Israel,
India, Japan, Indonesia and more. By building closer ties with
our friends and drawing other countries closer to the orbit of
free-market democracies, will ultimately make us all safer and
freer in the years to come. It is time for the free world to
stand its ground.”
The Foreign Secretary will laud Australia as an
“inspiration” and set out how the UK is deepening
cooperation in “the three key areas” of defence,
technology and economic security – including “pushing forward
the AUKUS agreement to deliver a fleet of nuclear-powered subs
for Australia”.
Truss will use the speech to deliver a strong message to Russia,
urging President Putin to “desist and step back from Ukraine
before he makes a massive strategic mistake.” She will argue
the “Kremlin has not learned the lessons of history” and
that “invasion will only lead to a terrible quagmire and loss
of life, as we know from the Soviet-Afghan war and conflict in
Chechnya.”
The Foreign Secretary will say: “we need everyone to step up.
Together with our allies, we will continue to stand with Ukraine
and urge Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful
discussions. What happens in Eastern Europe matters for the
world.”
Background
Event begins at 1500 Australia time / 0400 UK time on Friday 21
January).
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