PH, Australia vow to strengthen security cooperation in maritime dialogue

From CNN Philippines (Jul 6, 2023): PH, Australia vow to strengthen security cooperation in maritime dialogue (By Tristan Nodalo, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) — The Philippines and Australia vowed to strengthen maritime security cooperation, as both countries tackled emerging regional trends and challenges in the regions as maritime nations.

The Philippines hosted the 3rd Philippine-Australia Maritime Dialogue on July 5 in Manila. Both sides had a deeper and more integrated bilateral cooperation and coordination on common interests in maritime affairs.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Maria Angela Ponce and First Assistant Secretary Dr. Peter Sawczak of the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade led their respective delegations.

“Discussions focused on regional maritime threats and challenges, maritime safety and security cooperation, and marine environmental protection, with key Philippine maritime and security agencies participating in the Maritime Dialogue,” the DFA said in a statement.

The two sides also tackled defense cooperation, bilateral and regional maritime cooperation initiatives and other opportunities for close collaboration, and cooperation in international organizations.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs has long had the mandate to expand and deepen bilateral political, economic and people-to-people relations, but we have not always had counterparts when we have wanted to expand the discourse in the maritime space. Until, that is, we were met with the level of interest and commitment of the Government of Australia, and were able to craft this new generation of maritime dialogues, complementing the political track," said Ponce in a statement.

In a separate tweet, Australian Ambassador HK Yu said the dialogue allowed both parties to discuss emerging trends and challenges in the region and how the two countries can discuss responses as maritime nations.

"The third Philippine-Australia Maritime Dialogue further strengthened our maritime partnership framework. We discussed emerging regional trends, shared responses to challenges and new opportunities for collaboration," the Australian envoy tweeted.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/6/ph-australia-security-cooperation.html