1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had his first telephone conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong on January 25, during which the two sides discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in the defense industry and other regional and global affairs.

2. Foreign Minister Wong conveyed her heart-felt congratulations on Foreign Minister Cho’s inauguration and suggested that they work together to advance the Korea-Australia bilateral relationship while maintaining close communication.

3. Foreign Minister Cho expressed his gratitude for Foreign Minister Wong’s congratulations and appreciated that the two countries have established a robust and close relationship during recent years based on the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).’ The two Ministers agreed to work together to strengthen bilateral communication and collaboration between the two like-minded countries to enhance regional security and promote peace.

4. Foreign Minister Cho expressed appreciation for the Australian support and attention regarding a Korean company’s signing of the Australian infantry fighting vehicles contract following its selection as a preferred tenderer last year. The two Ministers agreed to further bolster bilateral cooperation in the area of the defense industry.

5. The two Ministers shared the view that it is necessary to hold the sixth Foreign and Defense Ministers’ 2+2 Meeting as soon as possible. They also agreed to keep up the momentum of close high-level exchanges.

6. The two Ministers expressed their concerns that North Korea is escalating tensions in the region with provocative remarks and behaviors and threatening global peace with unlawful military cooperation with Russia. They agreed that the international community needs to work together to respond to North Korea’s threats and provocations in a firm and unified way and to improve the North Korean human rights situations. 

7. The two Foreign Ministers decided to bolster strategic communication and solidarity between the two countries based on their similar visions for the Indo-Pacific region.