SYDNEY, Australia -Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 8 to discuss the two countries’ cooperation on defense, maritime security, and development.
“Our partnership with the Philippines is built on close defense and security cooperation, increasing economic relations and warm personal ties,” a statement from the office of Albanese said.
Earlier, the Philippines and Australia discussed pursuing joint patrols in the South China Sea during a February visit by Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Albanese will become the first Australian prime minister to visit the Philippines for bilateral talks in two decades as part of a five-day Southeast Asian sojourn.
The prime minister will travel to Indonesia, the Philippines and India in September to meet with regional leaders to discuss global challenges and advance Australia’s economic, security and climate agenda.
The whirlwind trip will begin with Mr Albanese attending the third annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta
from September 6 to 7.
He will then move to Manila for a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr on September 8 which is expected to
focus on boosting co-operation on defence and maritime security, development and education.
It will mark the first bilateral visit to the Philippines by an Australian prime minister since 2003.
Mr Albanese’s last stop will be at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, with this year’s two-day meeting centred on the theme of ‘One
Earth, One Family, One Future’.
The prime minister said deepening Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia was a key priority for his government.
“Our futures are intertwined – so it’s essential that we work together to achieve a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” Mr Albanese said
in a statement on Friday.
“It is more important than ever that Australia works closely with international partners, including through multilateral economic forums
like the G20, to address shared challenges and opportunities.”
Australian Associated Press