Australia to work with PH for a region that upholds sovereignty

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday vowed to work with the Philippines in shaping a region where sovereignty is upheld.

"Australia's working with our partners, including, of course, the Philippines, to shape a region where sovereignty is upheld, and economic cooperation is underpinned by international rules-based trade, a region that is open, stable, and prosperous with ASEAN at its center," said Albanese, who was at Malacañang Palace for a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Our economic future is also with Southeast Asia, and we're determined to grow trade and investment for our shared economic prosperity," added the Australian Prime Minister in a joint press statement.

Albanese also mentioned that during the East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, he launched the Australia-Southeast Asia economic strategy through 2040, which aims to increase two-way trade and investment.

For the Philippines, Albanese said the strategy identifies four sectors of particular potential: agriculture, education, resources, and green energy transition.

"And today, we've had a constructive discussion about how that can occur. Australia is ambitious for what we can achieve with the Philippines and with the region," Albanese said.

Marcos and Albanese also signed the Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership, which is a commitment of both countries to ensuring a more dynamic, cooperative, and prosperous future. — DVM, GMA Integrated News