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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to Australia: Good to have friends like you

Marcos to Australia: Good to have friends like you

Published Sep 8, 2023 05:09 am

Having a friend like Australia is "very gratifying" and encourages the Philippines to continue protecting its territory.

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President Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet in Malacañang on Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PPA Pool/Yummie Dingding)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. made the statement during his bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Malacañang.

Marcos has once again expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government through Albanese for its support to the country's claim in the West Philippine Sea and for encouraging the country to remain steadfast in protecting its territory.

“To have friends like you, and partners like you, especially on that subject, is very gratifying, encourages us to continue down that path,” Marcos told Albanese.

The two leaders met once again a day after they participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)-Australia Summit during the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Marcos welcomed Albanese at the Palace on Friday morning, Sept. 8, where they met for a bilateral meeting and signing of several agreements.

“Thanks to you, Mr. Prime Minister, for the strong support that you have made for the Philippines, especially during the past ASEAN conference, where you have made very clear that the claims that are being made upon Philippine maritime territory are not valid and have not been recognized and not in conjunction or consistent with international law,” Marcos said during the expanded bilateral meeting in Malacañang.

Responding to Marcos, Albanese said Australia and the Philippines have important security issues with common views on the need to uphold international law.

The Australian Prime Minister also assured Marcos that Australia’s position on the issues in the WPS will continue to be consistent.

“We have collective responsibility for security, including support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS, that’s very important,” he said.

“Australia does support, as I said at the East Asia Summit, the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award. That is final and it’s binding and it’s important that that be upheld going forward,” he added.

Albanese is in the Philippines to commemorate the elevation of the Philippines-Australia relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership through the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership.

This is Albanese's first visit to the country since 2003.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos Anthony Albanese PH-Australia ties West Philippine Sea President Marcos
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