PH, Australia Commit to Strengthening Foreign Policy and Defense Cooperation at 6th Philippines-Australia Strategic Dialogue

(From left to right) PH National Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, PH Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Australian Foreign Affairs Deputy Secretary for Southeast Asia and Global Partners Michelle Chan, and Australian Defense Acting  Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry Hugh Jeffrey

MANILA, 25 November 2022- Senior Philippine and Australian foreign affairs and defense officials convened at the Manila Diamond Hotel on 25 November 2022 for the 6th Philippines-Australia Strategic Dialogue (PASD). Last held virtually in 2020, the PASD is the main forum for the two countries to discuss and coordinate on strategic priorities and matters of mutual importance. 

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, and Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs Franco Nemesio M. Gacal led the Philippine delegation. 

Heading the Australian side were Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary for Southeast Asia and Global Partners Michelle Chan, and Department of Defence Acting Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry Hugh Jeffrey. 

Both sides shared updates on their respective foreign and defense policies and priorities, took stock of progress made in important areas of the bilateral relationship, discussed upcoming activities, and shared views on regional dynamics. 

Australia and the Philippines also discussed ways they could strengthen their foreign and defense cooperation and collaboration, in particular on maritime security as well as transnational crimes, both bilaterally and through multilateral organizations. Both countries expressed their ongoing commitment to supporting a rules-based regional order with ASEAN at the center.   

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maritime cooperation activities, including the conduct of maritime dialogues, joint exercises, capacity building activities, training, and logistics support, which show the common maritime perspectives underpinning the two countries’ maritime cooperative endeavors.

The Philippines and Australia noted President Marcos and Prime Minister Albanese’s agreement to strengthen ties between the countries by formally elevating the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. END 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines host the 6th Philippines-Australia Strategic Dialogue in Manila.