Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo is set to meet Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong next week for the 6th Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM).
In a briefing with reporters, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu said the meeting, which happens every two years, will take place in Australia and will also involve trade officials.
“The main purpose of this very important meeting will be to put our strategic partnership into action,” Yu said.
“Our ministers will be coming together only less than a month of our leaders’ meeting to get to work out what it is that we can do more often,” she added.
The envoy did not disclose whether there will be new agreements to be signed.
“There will be some announcements made after the meeting,” Yu said.
The ministerial meeting comes after the visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Philippines last month, where he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. elevated their countries’ bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
A separate statement shared by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual would also be attending the meeting.
Australian envoy sees positive economic outlook for PH
The Australian ambassador also shared her thoughts on the economic outlook of the Philippines.
She noted the positive economic gains of the country amid global challenges.
“I am very optimistic,” she said. “I think the Philippines’ economic outlook is excellent.”
“When you look at what’s happening to the rest of the global economy, I think to some extent, you know, those downgrades are fair enough,” she also said. “But still, Philippine economic growth has been strong and the outlook has been strong.”
The envoy added that the government also rolled out policies to make the country investment-friendly.
