President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he would sign three agreements during his trip to Canberra this week to boost the Philippines and Australia’s bilateral relations.
In his departure speech, President Marcos emphasized his vision to bolster the two nations’ commitments and future aspirations.
“As part of this visit, I will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia and provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines,” he said.
“I will also have the opportunity to expand our wide-ranging cooperation with Australia through the formalization and signing of three (3) agreements,” Mr. Marcos shared. Details of such agreements are yet to be disclosed.
President Marcos said his trip to Canberra serves as a reciprocal gesture following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state visit to the Philippines last September, marking the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
Mr. Marcos also noted the defense and security ties between the two nations, citing the successful implementation of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity under the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia, a significant defense accord among the country’s alliances.
On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the President is also expected to float the current situation inside the West Philippine Sea.
Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy have reported signal jamming, communication interference, and sightings of Chinese Navy warships roaming inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.