Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles will visit the Philippines and Thailand this week.
Australia and the Philippines are committed to elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership, as agreed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last November,” Marles said in a statement.
During his visit, Marles will meet with President Marcos Jr., National Defense officer-in-charge
Carlito Galvez Jr. and other senior government officials to discuss the “already deep ties between the two countries, including our defense forces.”
After visiting Manila, Marles will go to Bangkok to meet with Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
“Australia and Thailand have a long-standing partnership, including deep defense ties and an ambitious trade and economic agenda< the Australian official said.
“Australia is committed to working with the Philippines and Thailand in support of a stable, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core,” he added.
According to him, Australia’s relationships across the Asian region are “founded on history, personal connections and shared interests.”
“I look forward to the opportunity to deepen Australia’s engagement with the Philippines and Thailand, including through our important cooperation on defense and security,” he stressed.