Marcos Jr., Albanese affirm strong ties, shared vision for Indo-Pacific security

Australia and the Philippines share a vision for regional peace and security, emphasizing their deep bilateral ties during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Canberra.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that both nations are "in the same boat" regarding their aspirations for a peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

President Marcos Jr. highlighted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is more important than ever amid growing security threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

Three agreements were signed between the Philippines and Australia to enhance interoperability in the maritime domain, cyber and critical technology, and investigative techniques for competition law implementation.

Australia holds a Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines, one of only two countries, the other being the United States, to have such an agreement with the nation.

Albanese stressed the centrality of ASEAN to Australia's foreign policy and expressed a desire to collaborate closely with the Philippines and other ASEAN partners to foster regional prosperity and security.