OFF TO CANBERRA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Feb. 28, 2024) delivers a pre-departure speech at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City before flying to Canberra, Australia. In his speech, Marcos said at least three agreements aimed at enhancing the Philippines and Australia's relations will be signed during his trip to Canberra. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said three agreements aimed at enhancing the Philippines and Australia’s relations will be signed during his visit to the Australian capital Canberra.
“I anticipate an enhancement of the mutual understanding between the Philippines and Australia as we share a common vision not just for our bilateral relations, but for the peace and security of the region as well,” Marcos said in his pre-departure speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
“I will also have the opportunity to expand our wide-ranging cooperation with Australia through the formalization and signing of three agreements,” he added. Marcos, however, did not elaborate on the agreements to be signed.
The President will be in Canberra as a “guest of government” upon the invitation of Australian Governor-General David Hurley.
He is also set to address the Australian Parliament to discuss the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Marcos stressed that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia “provides greater energy and optimism for closer cooperation that is mutually beneficial to both Filipinos and Australians”.
“Our engagement in the Parliament will also feature conversations with Australia’s legislative leadership who are vital partners in ensuring a favorable and enabling policy to our relations to continue its upward trajectory,” he said.
Marcos said he would also highlight the two countries’ improved defense and security tie, citing the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity last year.
He also emphasized the need to discuss the expansion of collaboration with Australia in trade and investment in the coming years.
“After all, economic security is a vital component of national security,” Marcos said. “I hope to bring home with me a more robust, warmer, and closer Philippine-Australian relations.”
The President is also expected to hold separate meetings with Australian senior officials to have “constructive discussions on defense and security, trade, investments, people-to-people exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and regional issues,” Malacañang earlier said.
The Philippines and Australia will celebrate the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations in November this year.
Australia is the Philippines’ second largest partner in defense and security and one of only two bilateral partners with a status of Visiting Forces Agreement, aside from the United States.
As of 2022, around 408,000 Filipinos and Australians of Filipino descent call Australia their home, making them the fifth-largest migrant community in the country. (PNA)
