MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday morning for a 2-day state visit aimed at further strengthening the Philippines' relations with Australia.

“I am honored to bring with me on this visit the best of our motherland and our inherent desire for peace and prosperity. I intend to serve as a bridge that will further connect the two democratic maritime nations and promote our visions of amity, development, and cooperation,” Marcos Jr said. 

“I hope to bring home with me a more robust, warmer, and closer Philippine-Australian relations.”

Marcos' visit is upon the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley, who represented Australia during the Philippine leader’s inauguration in 2022.

In his departure speech, Marcos said his trip reciprocates the earlier visit made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023, when the 2 countries elevated their partnership from a comprehensive to a strategic partnership.

 During his visit, Marcos will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia where he will "provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines."

 “I will make sure to acknowledge the ever-growing relations on defense and security with one of our only two Status of Visiting Forces partners as highlighted last year by the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity,” he said.

“I shall also highlight the huge potential in trade and investment that we should maximize in the coming years. After all, economic security is a vital component of national security," the President said.

"Finally, I anticipate an enhancement of the mutual understanding between the Philippines and Australia as we share a common vision not just for our bilateral relations, but for the peace and security of the region as well."

The President will also have separate engagements with Australian legislative leaders whom he considers "vital partners in ensuring a favorable and enabling policy to our relations to continue its upward trajectory.”

 During the visit, the Philippines and Australia are expected to formalize and sign 3 agreements that are expected to expand both countries’ wide-ranging cooperation, Marcos said.

Marcos is expected to fly home to Manila on Thursday, February 29. He will fly back to Australia on Sunday to participate in the ASEAN-Australia Summit from March 3-6, 2024.

Marcos flying to Australia for state visit, ASEAN event