MANILA, Philippines- Hangad ng Australia ang “new level of engagement” kasama ang Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng kooperasyon gaya ng ekonomiya, edukasyon, agricultura at tanggulan.
Inihayag ito ni Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sa idinaos na ‘second at last day’ ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa naging pagbisita nito sa Canberra, araw ng Huwebes.
“The Philippines and Australia are taking a new level of engagement under the framework of the Strategic Partnership, anchored in a common vision of ‘a peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,’” ayon sa kalatas ni Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
“Albanese noted the two countries have set goals to attain said vision through strengthening economic ties, building connections on education and skills, continuing shared efforts on agriculture research, and deepening cooperation in defense,” dagdag na wika nito.
Ani Garafil, kumpiyansa si Albanese na mayroong “great potential” para sa paglago ng kalakalan at pamumuhunan ng dalawang bansa.
Ito’y matapos na tukuyin ni Albanese ang lumalalim na two-way trade and investment na nag-uugnay sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa, sabay sabing ang Philippine-based company International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) ay magbubukas ngayong linggo ng bagong USD235-million sa pinalawak na pasilidad sa Port of Melbourne sa Australia.
Sinabi ni Albanese na ang business expansion ng ICTSI ay “a welcome example” na magagamit na oportunidad para lumago ang ugnayang pang-ekonomiya ng dalawang bansa.
Sinabi pa ni Albanese na determinado ang kanyang pamahalaan na isulong ang paglago sa kalakalan at pamumuhunan, na nakalinya sa Southeast Asia Economic Strategy sa 2040.
Tinuran pa rin ni Garafil na committed si Albanese na patuloy na makatrabaho ang Pilipinas para iangat ang strategic partnership sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“Australia has recognized the Philippines’ potential as one of the fastest growing economies in the Indo-Pacific region noting that the relationship between the two nations could still be enhanced further through the current Strategic Partnership,” ayon kay Garafil.
“Australian Governor-General David Hurley, who invited Marcos to visit Canberra as a “guest” of the Australian government, also believes that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia “looks bright,” dagdag na wika ni Garafil.
Sinabi pa ni Garafil na nakikita naman ni Hurley ang two-day visit ni Pangulong Marcos sa Canberra bilang isang oportunidad para mas palakasin pa ang relasyon ng dalawang bansa pagdating sa ekonomiya at mamamayan.
“The Australian official also noted that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia, which was officially signed by President Marcos and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2023, will further deepen the engagement of the two countries on both bilateral and multilateral fronts,” aniya pa rin. RNT/SA
