Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, aims to uplift the relationship between Australia and the Philippines beyond a robust defense partnership during her visit to the country from May 16 to 19, 2023.
Wong hopes that the bilateral relationship will progress from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership, which can provide further collaboration on defense and maritime space, climate change, counterterrorism, and law enforcement.
Australia is open to looking at partnerships, whether they are formal or informal agreements or dialogues, according to Wong.
Wong’s visit comes after Australian Minister of Trade, Don Farrell, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Marles’, visited the Philippines earlier this year.
Moreover, the Philippines and the United States are considering the possibility of trilateral cooperation involving Japan and Australia, although specific details have not been disclosed.
Source: Inside Politico | #InsidePolitico | May 17, 2023