Friday, November 14, 2014

Pres. Aquino lauds Australia for beinga reliable and constant partner

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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