By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The Philippines and Australia have committed to enhancing their defense cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.
This was highlighted in the inaugural Australia-Philippines Defense Ministers Meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Canberra on Nov. 12.
“The principals underscored their commitment to deepening political and strategic cooperation as a key pillar of the Australia-Philippines Strategic Partnership,” said the joint statement of the two defense chiefs, forwarded to reporters in Manila Wednesday.
Both officials highlighted the importance of the defense cooperation of the two nations in supporting a secure and stable region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to, and nations can make decisions free from coercion.
“The principals emphasized the role of both countries in contributing to regional stability and promoting an Indo-Pacific that reinforces the rules-based order and regional architecture. The principals reaffirmed their commitment to the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the region’s stability and security, including through the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework,” the statement said.
The two officials also expressed serious concern about the situation in the South China Sea, underscoring the vital importance of all states being free to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea.
“The principals reiterated serious concern about dangerous conduct by China against vessels from the Philippines. They emphasized the need for all states to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and reaffirmed that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award was final and binding on the parties. They resolved to work together to support regional maritime security and uphold international law,” it added.
Establishing mutual cooperation in regional defense
The two defense chiefs also committed to deepening their defense cooperation amid the challenging security environment, increasing strategic competition, and unprecedented military build-up taking place in the Indo-Pacific without reassurance or transparency.
Marles and Teodoro also welcomed Australia’s increased efforts to prioritize maritime security in collective training.
They also said they are looking forward to the second iteration of Exercise Alon in 2025, which would be an opportunity to increase complexity and enhance the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the two nations.
“The Secretary (Teodoro) confirmed the Philippines would participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre next year for the first time, whilst the Deputy Prime Minister (Marles) reaffirmed Australia’s continued participation in Exercise Balikatan and inaugural participation in Exercise Salaknib next year. The principals agreed to develop and sign in 2025 a new arrangement outlining the direction and management of official dialogues, training, leadership development, and infrastructure under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program,” the statement said.
The two defense officials also acknowledged the importance of regional defense cooperation in promoting the collective security and stability of the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming their shared commitment to increase multilateral defense cooperation.
“Building on the commitments of the Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Honolulu on May 2, 2024, with Japan and the United States, the principals welcomed greater defense cooperation between the four countries, including through continued maritime cooperation in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and activities that build capacity and strengthen interoperability,” it added.
They also committed to an Australian Defense Force logistics and engineer survey in the Philippines to support bilateral training and enhanced interoperability with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In another development, Marles and Teodoro also agreed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had serious implications for security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
“Both sides expressed serious concern on the reported transfer of weapons and dual-use goods to Russia. Both sides underscored their serious concern on the deployment of DPRK military personnel to aid Russia against Ukraine, as well as the continued launching of ballistic and other missiles by the DPRK in the recent months, in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and which pose further threats to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region,” the statement added.