Marcos looks forward to greater PH-Australia military cooperation

FILE PHOTO: American and Australian warships have come together in the South China Sea for joint drills, as China continued to aggressively assert its claim of owning the entire area. The Philippines and Australia are expected to have greater military cooperation, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. PHOTO FROM US NAVY

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Australia could expect more joint defense activities, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

In a joint press conference after his address to the Australian parliament, Marcos said he and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a fruitful discussion to strengthen the ties between the two nations, including on defense.

“Defense and security remain a key area of cooperation between the Philippines and Australia. We look forward to amplifying our joint activities and the capacity-building efforts in this regard,” he noted.

Marcos also said the Philippines and Australia are committed to a rules-based order.

Australia is the only nation other than the United States to have a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines. Last year, Manila and Melbourne held joint military exercises in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea, the area of the South China Sea that belongs to the Philippines.

READ: Marcos: Australia is PH’s ‘natural partner’ in keeping int’l order

The President also said he expects stronger trade and economic relations between the Philippines and Australia.

“On economic cooperation, we anticipate greater bilateral economic cooperation that will allow us to withstand shocks, to be resilient against economic coercion, and to provide an enabling environment for our respective businesses and labor markets to further flourish under the ambit of our Strategic Relationship and Partnership,” Marcos pointed out.

Marcos said Australia hosts the fifth-largest Filipino immigrant community, which has also contributed to the Philippine economy.

“Both the Philippines and Australia welcome future consultations and dialogues as we explore and map the uncharted waters that can bring in new opportunities for a closer and stronger relationship between our two countries,” he said.