Marcos says 3 deals to be signed during Canberra visit

President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said at least three agreements would be signed during his visit to Canberra, Australia as he aims a ”wide-ranging cooperation” with the country.

Marcos left for Canberra this morning with First Lady Louise ”Liza” Araneta-Marcos. Vice President Sara Duterte is the caretaker while the President is on a state visit.

The President is expected to make an address before the Australian Parliament in Canberra.

”Our engagement in the Parliament will also feature conversations with Australia’s legislative leadership who are vital partners in ensuring a favorable and enabling policy to our relations to continue its upward trajectory,” Marcos said in his speech.

”I will also have the opportunity to expand our wide-ranging cooperation with Australia through the formalization and signing of three agreements. Collaboration in these additional fields is a clear indication that the Strategic Partnership which we have embarked upon provides greater energy and optimism for closer cooperation that is mutually beneficial to both Filipinos and Australians,” he added.

Marcos did not elaborate the agreements that will be signed between Manila and Canberra.

Defense and security

Marcos also said he acknowledges the ever-growing relations on defense and security with Australia ”as highlighted last year by the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity.”

Marcos will talk about the vision for the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia during his address before the Parliament.

The said partnership, which enhanced the bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership in 2015, was signed in September last year during the visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the country.

Marcos will also meet with Australian senior officials to discuss defense and security, trade, investments, people-to-people exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and regional issues.

The President said he appreciates the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley to visit Australia.

”We appreciate this personal extension of friendship and I wish that through this visit, I will be able not just to convey our camaraderie, but the goodwill of the entire Filipino nation to our friends in Australia,” Marcos said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News