Albanese: New strategic partnership to strengthen ties between Australia, PH

Visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday that a new strategic partnership between Australia and the Philippines would strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Albanese made the remark during his bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

"I know that Australia and the Philippines are great friends and I hope that this visit helps to take it to even high level as we go forward," Albanese told Marcos.

"The new strategic partnership that we'll sign today will strengthen the bilateral ties that we've had for 77 years," he added. 

Commitment for growth

Marcos, meanwhile, said that the new strategic partnership depicts the commitment of the two countries to deepen ties that will ensure growth.

"The signing of the joint declaration on strategic partnership signals our mutual commitment to deepening collaboration across the spectrum of areas that are vital to both our countries' growth and prosperity," Marcos said.

"Our talks cover a wide range of topics from defense and security cooperation to economic and trade relations, from maritime affairs to sustainable developmental goals," added Marcos.

The Philippine leader also said that their commitment has guided the path towards addressing the complex regional and global challenges.

"It is heartening to find that our visions for the future are quite closely aligned and our goals for regional stability and prosperity resonates strongly. Both the Prime Minister and I acknowledged that our shared values, the democratic principles, the mutual respect for the international law have been instrumental in fostering a strong partnership."

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the strategic partnership will cover defense and maritime matters, strengthen counter-terrorism and law enforcement, and facilitate deeper cooperation in a range of areas including climate action, education, development, and people-to-people exchanges.

In line with this, Albanese also said the Australian government would work with the Philippines on a new five-year program that aims to address conflict especially in the Mindanao region.

"We discussed strengthening our cooperation on regional and national security. We agreed to formalize an annual defense ministers’ meeting. Australia works closely with the Philippines to support peace and stability in conflict-affected Mindanao," he said.

"I'm pleased to announce today a new five-year program to help further reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants, and improve community development livelihoods, particularly for women and those in vulnerable situations," he added.

South China Sea

Albanese also reiterated Australia's position when it comes to the security issues in the South China Sea, saying that the international law must always be upheld.

"We also have important security issues where we have common views, that need to uphold international law and Australia’s position on that will continue to be consistent as we have always been," Albanese said.

"Recently the issues regarding [the] South China Sea, we regard the presence of [a] stable and prosperous region have been absolutely critical, support for trade, support for sovereignty and support for ASEAN centrality as well in our engagement," he added.

He stressed that "we have a collective responsibility" when it comes to security and the enforcement of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS).

"As I said at the East Asia Summit, the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, that is final and it's binding," Albanese said.

For his part, Marcos again expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister over his support to the Philippines in the recently-concluded 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"You have made very clear that the claims that are being made upon Philippine maritime territory are not valid, not been recognized and not in conjunction or in consistent with the international law," Marcos told Albanese.

"With friends and partners like you in that subject is very gratifying and encourages us to continue down that path," he added.

To recall, Australia had expressed concern over recent actions directed against the Philippines in the South China Sea.

At the recent ASEAN Summit, Marcos had thanked Albanese over Australia's gesture.

"We, the Philippines, thank Australia for expressing concern on the latest actions directed against the Philippines in the South China Sea. We join Australia on the call for peace, stability, and respect for the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS)," Marcos said during his intervention at the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit where Albanese was also present.

The Philippine president likewise welcomed Australia’s "active engagement in maritime-related issues and concerns in the region."

Marcos had also thanked Australia for supporting the Philippines’ hosting of the 12th ASEAN Maritime Forum and the 10th Expanded Maritime Forum in Manila last December. — RSJ/ VAL/AOL, GMA Integrated News