President Benigno S. Aquino III has lauded Australia for being “a
reliable and constant partner” for the past four decades.
President Aquino acknowledged Australia’s support for the
Philippines in various areas of cooperation.
He said Australia backs the Philippines’ advocacy for a peaceful resolution
of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“Australia, as a responsible member of the community of nations,
has advocated for the rule of law and the peaceful of resolution of disputes in
the South China Sea,” the Chief Executive said.
“Their support for our approach in resolving this concern
encourages us even more to pursue the right, reasonable, and just path towards
stability,” he added.
President Aquino emphasized that "it is imperative that our
region effectively manages the issues in the South China Sea."
He said the Philippines is pushing for the full and effective
implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China
Sea (DOC), and the early conclusion of a legally binding Code of Conduct in the
South China Sea (COC).
The President also said the Philippines is pursuing the completion
of the arbitration case it has filed against China, as a mechanism embedded in
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On gender equality and women’s empowerment, he said the
Philippines is hosting the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation
Workshop on the Role of Women and Children in Conflict Situations early next
year.
While on the disaster response front, the President said the
Philippines looks forward to the issuance of the East Asia Summit Statement on
Rapid Disaster Response, a joint initiative by the Philippines and Australia.
President Aquino thanked Prime Minister Tony Abbott for
Australia’s assistance to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
“The support they demonstrated will always be remembered by a
grateful Filipino people,” he said.
“Indeed, these past four decades, Australia has stood by us as a
reliable and constant partner, working with our community towards building a
truly inclusive, resilient, and stable region, one that serves as a lynchpin of
growth in our part of the world,” the President said.
The Philippines is the country coordinator for the ASEAN-Australia
Dialogue Relations until 2015. (PCOO News Release)
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