Doorstop NATO Headquarters

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: It's good to be here at NATO, and I'm looking forward to my meeting with Mark Rutte. And I was pleased to meet with High Representative Kallas in Strasbourg. I'm here because it's a critical time for Ukraine. I'm here because it is a critical time for countries and institutions who care about international law to work together to protect the rules that protect us all. And that's why I'm here, because international law, the rules that countries work by, protect all of us. And we need to work with countries and institutions such as the European Union and NATO, which are focused on the peace and stability that those rules enable.

If I may say something about Vanuatu as well, I've had contact with my counterpart who requested assistance. I have indicated publicly that we are providing search and rescue and medical teams which will be departing Australia tomorrow, Australian time, for Vanuatu. I say to the people of Vanuatu, Australia stands with you. In terms of Australians in Vanuatu, I again say, please contact our emergency consular team if you require assistance. Happy to take questions.

Journalist: Minister, this morning there seems to be a little bit of a breakthrough in the talks between Israel and Hamas. And one of the conditions is for massive aid to go into Gaza. Is Australia willing to step up in that regard?

Foreign Minister: Look, we have already put money on the table for humanitarian aid into Gaza. We've increased both the original core funding, but also in response to the appeal. We are deeply concerned, as are so many countries, about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. So, of course, we are willing to step up to provide assistance. What I would say is, it is very welcome news that there is progress on the ceasefire front, which would enable a ceasefire and the return of the hostages who are still being held by Hamas over a year after the horrific attacks that we saw.

Journalist: Specifically with the EU meeting and with this NATO meeting, what is Australia offering? Or what are those, NATO and the EU, asking for?

Foreign Minister: Look, certainly, with High Representative Kallas, we focused a lot on sharing perspectives on what we are seeing in both the Euro-Atlantic and also the Indo-Pacific. And the fact is that in both of those theatres, we are seeing conflict, we are seeing competition, we are seeing contest. We talked about what we can do together, what we need to work on together. Certainly, in relation to Ukraine, as you know, Australia has provided very substantial assistance and will continue to do so. And I expressed to her, we understand why it is important to stand with Ukraine. Russia has torn up the UN Charter and the UN Charter protects us all.

Journalist: China announced today that they're going to have military exercises off Vietnam. Is that a concern?

Foreign Minister: Well, what I would say is two things. First, we always urge peace and stability in our region. And secondly, Australia will consistently articulate our belief that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international law of the sea, is what countries should abide by.

Journalist: And can we just turn to Syria? We've had the UK contribute a substantial amount of money, £50m to the new regime. Is Australia considering making a similar?

Foreign Minister: Well, look, we'll obviously liaise with our partners. This did come up yesterday, the UK's engagement with the new regime. Obviously, the United Kingdom has a long, deep, historic set of relationships and responsibilities in the Middle East. That's why we are very pleased to work with them and to gain their insights about the progress of discussions in the Middle East.

Journalist: What about Australians that might be in the Kurdish areas of Syria and in Islamic State held areas at the moment. Is there any dialogue going on about their situation?

Foreign Minister: Well, look, we always take the advice of agencies in relation to those individuals, as you know.