Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said the Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong will visit the Philippines next week.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Wong will be in the country from May 16 to 19 for an official visit upon his invitation.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy played host to the navies of SoutheastAsia to formally open the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise or AMNEX this year in Subic, Zambales.
Seven foreign “gray” ships will participate in the exercises and are currently docked at the Subic Naval Operating Base, the Philippine Navy said.
The two-day sea phase of the AMNEX opens today in the waters nearZambales in the West Philippine Sea, away from the areas disputed by China and other countries.
According to the DFA, Manalo and Wong will meet on May 18 to discuss a broad range of issues of mutual interest, including defense and security partnership, development cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.
“This bilateral meeting will allow both countries to assess the current state of their bilateral relations and chart the course for further collaboration,” the DFA said in a statement.
Wong will also pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Australian foreign minister’s visit comes after a series of high-level exchanges between the Philippines and Australia, reflecting both countries’ strong commitment to advancing their Comprehensive Partnership to a higher level.
“This visit is also an excellent opportunity to renew and deepen the friendship between the two nations and explore new areas of cooperation,” DFA said.
It will be Wong’s first visit to the country since assuming office in May 2022, following the election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Government. — Rey E. Requejo
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