Australia, Philippines ‘in same boat’ on regional peace, says Albenese

Australia and the Philippines have a shared vision for regional peace, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, March 1, 2024. INQUIRER FILES/STOCK PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Australia and the Philippines have a shared vision for regional peace, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a statement on Friday, Malacañang said Albanese affirmed the deep ties between Australia and the Philippines while Marcos was in Canberra for a state visit.

“In every sense, Mr. President, our peoples have been on a voyage together for a very long time. Australia and the Philippines are in the same boat, and we share a vision for our destination: a peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Albanese said to Marcos.

READ: Marcos: Australia is PH’s ‘natural partner’ in keeping int’l order

According to Albanese, the Philippines and Australia could achieve their vision for peace through economics, education, agriculture research, and defense agreements.

Australia is one of two countries – the other is the United States – to have a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines.

Marcos is set to return to Australia on Sunday, March 3, for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) joint summit with Australia.

“For Australia, Asean is central and it is essential. And we want to continue to work closely with the Philippines and all our friends and partners in Asean, to promote the shared opportunity that drives our regional prosperity, and to fulfill our collective responsibility to uphold regional security,” Albanese said.