The Philippines and Australia are discussing ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship and take it to an “unprecedented level,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says.
Marles, who also serves as defence minister, 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 said on Wednesday 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 Defence Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr said he and Marles had agreed to explore more ways to collaborate while reaffirming that maritime security and counter-terrorism remain core pillars of Philippine-Australia defence 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.
Marles’ 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.
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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, the parts of the South China Sea that are included in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Manila also earlier agreed to restart such a joint activity with the US.
He added Australia and the Philippines are expected to sign a “strategic partnership” agreement later this year and establish an annual defence 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.
Marles said the federal government also looks forward to Manila sending for the first time observers to Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia in August.
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