London, February 16 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, held a video call on Wednesday to formalize a deal that strengthens cooperation between the two countries on defense and security. Downing Street, Johnson’s official office, reported in a statement that the UK would invest 25 million pounds (30 million euros) in projects to increase “cyber resistance”, maritime security and counter “state threats” in the Indo-Pacific region. . Britain and Australia, who signed a free trade agreement in December, “are forging a new framework of cooperation, based on their historic alliance, which will be useful for the face of the next century,” the UK head of government said. The two countries are working together to “enhance regional security in the Indo-Pacific, drive scientific and green technological innovation, and drive opportunity for our businesses and citizens,” Johnson continued. For the conservative president, London and Canberra’s shared priority is to maintain “security, democracy and free and fair trade.” With a renewed rapprochement with Australia after Brexit, the UK wants to be a “trusted European partner in the Indo-Pacific” to “promote peace and security in the region”, explains a Downing Street note. In their conversation today, Johnson and Morrison also discussed two new business ventures involving their respective countries. Financial technology firm PEXA will expand its international presence on UK soil, while British energy firm Octopus will develop a mega-project in Australia over the next decade to generate wind, solar and hydrogen based energy. EFE gx/er/vh