Sinimulan na ngayong araw ng Pilipinas at Australia ang “Maritime Cooperative Activity.”
Ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., bahagi ito ng strategic partnership ng dalawang bansa dalawang buwan matapos ang pagbisita ni Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sa Malakanyang noong Setyembre.
Sabi ni Pangulong Marcos, layunin ng Maritime Cooperative Activity sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at defense forces ng Australia na palakasin pa ang maritime bilateral interoperability ng dalawang bansa.
“We endeavor to enhance bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness; test doctrines, existing protocols, and enhance efficiency; and foster closer cooperation between our countries’ armed forces,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.
“This inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity and those that may follow are a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic defense partnership between our countries,” dagdag ni Pangulong Marcos.
Mahalaga ayon kay Pangulong Marcos ang maritime activity para masiguro na naisusulong ng Pilipinas at Australia ang rules-based international order upang magkaroon ng maayos, payapa, secure at stable na Indo-Pacific region.