Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong will visit the Philippines next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced.
Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong (Photo courtesy of Senator Penny Wong Twitter)
Wong will be in the country from May 16 to 19 for an official visit upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
According to the DFA, Manalo and Wong will meet on May 18 to discuss a broad range of issues of mutual interest, including defense and security partnership, development cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.
"This bilateral meeting will allow both countries to assess the current state of their bilateral relations and chart the course for further collaboration," the DFA said.
Wong will also pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Australian foreign minister's visit comes after a series of high-level exchanges between the Philippines and Australia, reflecting both countries’ strong commitment to advancing their Comprehensive Partnership to a higher level.
"This visit is also an excellent opportunity to renew and deepen the friendship between the two nations and explore new areas of cooperation," DFA said.
It will be Wong’s first visit to the country since assuming office in May 2022, following the election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Government.