President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed the country's readiness to work closely with Australia and other regional partners as he cited the importance of an enhanced partnership among nations in the Asia-Pacific region amid the current geopolitical situation. *BILATERAL MEETING - President Marcos welcomes Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong before their meeting in Malacañang on May 18, 2023. (Malacañang photo)*


Marcos said this as he met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday, May 18. In his remarks, the President said that partnerships among countries might be the key to maintaining peace in the region. "I think it is probably the key element in many of the relationships that we have not only between Australia and the Philippines but also of the countries around the Indo-Pacific region," he said. Marcos hopes that Wong's visit will strengthen partnerships in trade, people-to-people relationships, security, and defense amid the rapidly changing geopolitical situation. "We have to stay in very close communication so that we present a common plan to meet not only with ASEAN but all member states around the Indo-Pacific," he told Wong. Aside from other areas of partnership, the President underscored the need to ensure economic security cooperation with Australia, particularly as the Philippines undergoes "transformation." "The very important partner in the transformation of our economy is the private sector. We welcome any contact with the private sector because we feel that it is impossible for the government to do it all alone," Marcos said. "We have now changed many of our regulations, many of our laws to encourage private partnerships with the government, joint venture partnerships with corporations, and every other possible combination of those elements," he added. Following his bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last year, Marcos said he expects another opportunity to meet him in September. During the courtesy call, Wong conveyed Albanese's message to Marcos, highlighting the need to strengthen the two countries' strategic partnership further. "We want to work with you for our mutual benefit recognizing the importance of economic strength," Wong told the President. In response, Marcos expressed gratitude to Australia for hosting Filipinos. "We are very appreciative of the hospitality and kindness that you have shown our nationals," he said.