Australian PM reaffirms strategic partnership with Philippines
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday, Feb. 29, promised to work on a renewed strategic partnership with the Philippines that centers on maritime security and promoting respect for international law.
(From left) President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shake hands during a bilateral meeting in Canberra. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
He made this remark at the bilateral meeting with President Marcos during the latter’s two-day state visit in Canberra, Australia.
“We’re ambitious for what we can achieve together and on place that way our working actively to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade,” the Prime Minister said during the joint press conference with Marcos.
“I’m pleased that with our new MOU [memorandum of understanding] on enhanced maritime cooperation, which we have signed today, will collaborate over more closely to promote our shared vision for the region,” he added.
Among these shared vision are civil maritime security, marine environment protection, maritime demand awareness and promoting respect for international law.
Albanese also emphasized that Australia and the Philippines plan to continue the maritime cooperative activities as regional partners.
The Prime Minister echoed Marcos’ pronouncement about the Philippines’ commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We also discussed strengthening cooperation on cyber and critical technology and we’ll work together to promote the open and secure use of cyberspace through our new MOU, of which we have signed today,” he said.
“We’ve also signed a new MOU between our competition commissions to enhance cooperation on competition law and policy, highly relevant issues in both of our countries given the cost of living precious that our people are facing,” the official added.
In terms of trade and investment, Albanese vowed that Australia will continue to drive growth according to the Southeast Asia economic strategy to 2040 that was launched during last year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
This will also be the focus of next week’s Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, which Marcos will also attend.
“Australia and the Philippines share a vision for an open, stable, and prosperous region where disputes are settled through agreed rules, norms and institutions. ASEAN centrality is critical to this and it will be a great honor to host all the leaders of Southeast Asia in Melbourne next week, for the ASEAN-Australia special summit” the Prime Minister said.