MANILA, Philippines – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, will host Philippine Secretary of National Defence, Hon Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., for the inaugural Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Canberra on 12 November, the Australian Embassy in the Philippines announced.
During the meeting, Marles and Teodoro will discuss opportunities for Australia and the Philippines to deepen defence cooperation, including through military exercises, regular maritime cooperative activities, and multilateral coordination, the statement from the Australian Defence Department website read.
“I am honoured to welcome Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr to Canberra for our inaugural Defence Ministers’ Meeting,” Marles stated.
“Australia and the Philippines have a shared commitment to regional security and we have a common vision for the region, where sovereignty is upheld,” Marles added.
The statement also mentioned the longstanding relationship of Australia and the Philippines, built on cooperation and mutual trust.
Australia and the Philippines support a secure and stable region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to, and nations can make decisions free from coercion, the statement added.
“I look forward to discussing ways to deepen defence cooperation, including through our Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program, to build capacity and strengthen interoperability,” Marles emphasized.
