Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — The Philippines and Australia are discussing ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship and take it to an “unprecedented level,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday.
The official, who also serves as Australia’s minister for defense, said he believes stronger cooperation is imperative, as the two nations now have \”greater strategic alignment\” than “in any moment in our respective histories.”
“Both countries are allies of the United States. Both countries have China as our largest trading partner,\” Marles told reporters during his Manila visit.
\”Both the Philippines and Australia are completely committed to a global rules-based order,” he added.
At the joint press conference, Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. also said he and Marles agreed to explore more ways to collaborate, while reaffirming that maritime security and counter-terrorism remain as core pillars of Philippine-Australia defense ties.
“Our two nations look forward to elevating our partnership as agreed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last November,” Galvez said.
The Australian official’s visit came just a couple of weeks after China aimed a temporarily blinding military-grade laser at a Philippine ship near Ayungin Shoal.
The incident again drew international attention to Beijing’s continued aggressions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), with Australia and the US joining the list of nations that called out the “dangerous” and “intimidatory” conduct.
Marles said to help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he and Galvez discussed the possibility of the two countries holding joint patrols in the WPS.
READ: PH, Australia exploring joint patrols in West PH Sea
Manila also earlier agreed to restart such a joint activity with the US.
Marles added that Australia and the Philippines are expected to sign a \”strategic partnership\” agreement later this year and establish an annual defense ministers’ meeting.
On top of this, he told the media, Australia is sending “one of the largest contingents” to the upcoming annual military Balikatan exercises in the country.
He said they also look forward to Manila sending for the first time observers to Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia in August.
Later the same day, the chief executive received Marles in a courtesy call where he said his visit would bolster a stronger alliance with the country’s Indo-Pacific neighbor.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos also noted that Marles’ visit “will be an important part of the response” to the recent acts by the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.
\”I truly believe that the future lies in strong alliances and in a united front in promoting again the values that we consider important to our countries,\” the president was quoted as saying.
