MANILA – The visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Manila is expected to boost ties with the Philippines, as he announced initiatives and cooperation through the new Strategic Partnership signed by the Australian leader and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
During his visit to Manila on 8 September 2023, Albanese and Marcos Jr. signed a new Strategic Partnership that will establish an “enduring framework for closer cooperation with the Philippines, one of Australia’s key partners in Southeast Asia, based on a strong alignment of strategic interests,” an official statement said.
This includes the increase of scholarships that will be awarded to Filipinos who plan to study Masters and PhD programs in Australia, which is expected to build connections between peoples.
The re-establishment of a Philippines Institute at the Australian National University as part of its commitment to boosting its ties with Southeast Asia, to promote deeper understanding of each country’s perspectives and interests.
A new reciprocal Work and Holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos, with the aim of supporting stronger economic, cultural and people-to-people links.
“Australia and the Philippines enjoy a long-standing relationship based on close cooperation and enriched by the 400,000 Australians with Filipino heritage,” Albanese said.
A new USD 64.65 million contribution to peacebuilding in conflict-affected Mindanao to fund a five-year program that aims to help reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants and support community development, particularly for women.
According to an official statement, the Prime Minister’s visit to the Philippines reflects the priority Australia places on deepening relations with Southeast Asia and follows the Prime Minister’s launch of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Jakarta this week.
Australia is also looking into deepening the trade and investment relationship with the Philippines in line with the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, to help Australian businesses and investors take advantage of key sectors int the country, including agriculture and food, education and skills, resources and the clean energy transition.
"Our Strategic Partnership will facilitate closer cooperation between our countries and contribute to an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Albanese stated.
Prime Minister Albanese is the first Australian Prime Minister to travel to the Philippines on a bilateral visit since 2003.
While here in Manila, Albanese extended an invitation to Marcos to visit Australia in March 2024 to attend a Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.
