By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed three pacts with Australia during a two-day state visit to strengthen collaborations on maritime domain, cyber and critical technology, and effective competition laws and policies.
“The three agreements exchanged today (Feb. 29) shall enhance information sharing, capability building, and interoperability between our relevant government agencies in the maritime domain and maritime environment, cyber and critical technology, and competition law,” Marcos said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered in Canberra.
According to Malacañang, the two governments seek to strengthen civil-military cooperation, enhance defense deals, promote international law and rules-based international order, as well as protect marine environment and cultural heritage.
“Defense and security remain a key area of cooperation between the Philippines and Australia. We look forward to amplifying our joint activities and the capacity-building efforts in this regard,” President Marcos added.
The Chief Executive also told the Australian Parliament that the Philippines is on the “frontline” of a battle for regional peace as he sought support in maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
“We have an abiding interest in keeping our seas free and open and in ensuring unimpeded passage and freedom of navigation. We must uphold, preserve, and defend the unified and universal character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the constitution of the oceans,” he remarked.
“I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,” Marcos told the Australian legislators.
As to the cyber technology deal, Manila and Canberra will share information on the field of cyberspace and promote digital economy.
Meanwhile, the agreement on competition laws and policies is aimed to share best practices on trade such as merger regulations and investigative techniques relevant to implementing competition laws.
The two leaders also discussed enhancing bilateral economic cooperation to allow the Philippines and Australia to withstand shocks and provide an enabling environment for businesses and labor markets.
“We’re ambitious for what we can achieve together and I’m pleased that we are working actively to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade,” Prime Minister Albanese stated.
Marcos will return to Australia next week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from March 4 to 6. – avds
