Signing a joint declaration and two agreements elevates the relations of the Philippines and Australia from a comprehensive to a strategic partnership, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said.
Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed on Friday, Sept. 8, the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership and two more agreements during the latter's visit to Malacañang.
The President said the elevation of both countries' ties to a strategic partnership "is a very, very important development" for both sides.
"This signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signals our mutual commitment to deepening collaboration across a spectrum of areas that are vital to both our countries’ growth and prosperity," Marcos said.
Both sides also signed the Philippines-Australia memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement and the Philippines-Australia MOU on National Soil Health Strategy.
The agreements, Marcos said, symbolize the Philippines' and Australia's joint determination to enhance cooperation across various domains.
"From development to cultural exchanges, these agreements represent a tangible commitment to work together for the betterment of our two nations," he said.
"I am confident that these partnerships will drive innovation, create opportunities, and foster deeper understanding between our peoples," he added.
The MOU on a Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement aims to provide young people from both countries a venue for learning about each other's cultures through tourism while also engaging in meaningful and enriching experiences
The MOU on National Soil Health Strategy, on the other hand, captures the intent of the Philippines and Australia to co-develop initiatives supporting soil health strategy through joint research, capacity building, expert and knowledge exchange, and science-based support to policy.
"As we look ahead, our shared responsibilities as strategic partners become even more profound. The evolving dynamics of our world demand collaboration that is proactive, innovative, and adaptable," Marcos said.
He told Albanese that by leveraging each other’s strengths, both sides can "amplify our collective impact and contribute positively to the challenges and opportunities that lie before us."
"Let the elevation of our relations to a strategic partnership usher in a brighter and more prosperous future for both our peoples," the Chief Executive added.
Albanese’s official visit to the Philippines is the first by an Australian head of government in 20 years.
The Philippines and Australia maintain 77 years of friendship, spanning a wide and diverse range of areas, from defense and security to economic cooperation, and people-to-people cooperation.
Australia is the Philippines’ second largest partner in defense and security and one of only two bilateral partners with whom it maintains a status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
It is also the Philippines’ 14th largest trading partner in 2022 and the country’s 11th largest source of total Official Development Assistance (ODA), amounting to $180 million as of December last year.
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