STRENGTHENED TIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sign the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership following their bilateral meeting at the Malacañan Palace Reception Hall on Friday (Sept. 8, 2023). The two leaders discussed the potential cooperation on agriculture, education, resources and green energy transition. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)
PH | PH and Australia sign two key agreements | MANILA — The Philippines and Australia became strategic partners on Friday. This means that they will work together more closely in a wide range of areas to create a “more dynamic, cooperative, and prosperous future” for both countries.
After their meeting at Malacaan Palace in Manila, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia.
In a speech given after the signing ceremony, Marcos said the elevation of relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership is a “very, very important development” for the two countries, citing their “long history of cooperation and an even longer history of friendship.”
“The signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership shows that we both want to work together more in areas that are important to the growth and prosperity of both of our countries,” Marcos said.
“Let our relationship becoming a strategic partnership be the start of a brighter and better future for both of our people,” he said.
Albanese said that the strategic partnership is “a big sign of how strong their relationship is and how much they want to work together.”
He said that he and Marcos had a “constructive discussion” about how the two countries could work together in four areas: agriculture, education, resources, and the transition to green energy.
Albanese said, “Australia has high hopes for what we can do together with the Philippines.”
Two deals
Marcos and Albanese also saw the signing of two agreements that aim to improve ties between the Philippines and the United States in science and technology and between people.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a work and holiday visa plan. This will allow young people to learn about each country’s culture through tourism.
Yu and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. also presented the MOU on cooperation to co-develop initiatives that support the soil health plan through joint research, capacity-building, experts and knowledge exchange, and scientific support for policy.
“I’m confident that these partnerships will drive innovation, create opportunities and foster deeper understanding between our peoples. As we look ahead, our shared tasks as strategic partners become even more profound,” the President said.
“The way our world is changing calls for cooperation that is proactive, creative, and flexible. By using each other’s strengths, we can make a bigger difference as a group and make the challenges and opportunities we face more positive,” Marcos said.
Discussion that covers everything
Marcos said that he and Albanese had a “comprehensive” conversation during their meeting. They talked about a wide range of topics, including defence and security cooperation, economic and trade ties, maritime affairs, and goals for sustainable development.
He said that they agreed to work together for peace, security, and growth in the area.
“It is encouraging to find that our ideas about the future are very similar and that our goals for peace and prosperity in the region are very similar,” Marcos said. “Both the prime minister and I agreed that our shared values, democratic principles, and mutual respect for international law have helped build a strong partnership.” (via PNA)
