The Philippines and Australia are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and this early, preparations are underway in both countries to commemorate the partnership.
Davao City has declared in the past the celebration of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day and hopefully, it will also be celebrated this year under the leadership of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Hundreds of Dabawenyos have made Australia their home, and there is also a growing number of Dabawenyos on student and working visas.
On Monday, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson AO said strengthening partnership in civil maritime security will be a key element to commemorate the 75th diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia on May 22. Robinson said Australia is expanding its engagement on maritime cooperation with the Philippines focusing on governance, systems, processes, interagency coordination, marine natural resources management, environment protection, technical assistance, research, and workshops. This will cover cooperation in areas of aviation and border protection.
The Australian envoy must have touched on the critical situation in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, which he said “all countries should subscribe to the rules, the norms, and the laws that govern the free passage through international waters.”
Australia supports the adherence to international law particularly (the) United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea and other norms and laws that governs our international waterways and has expressed concern if there is any action taken by any country that seeks to inhibit that free passage and the freedom of navigation, the freedom of overflying.
Australia is no stranger to making a concrete stand on international issues and in this particular matter it vowed to express its views when it matters.
