MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday welcomed Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley for a bilateral meeting at Malacañang Palace following his inauguration.
This was the first in-person meeting between the new president and a foreign head of state.
The Governor-General is also the highest-level dignitary to attend the inauguration of Marcos at the National Museum on June 30, showing the significance Australia places on its long-standing relations with the Philippines.
“I am delighted to be in the Philippines, one of Australia’s closest neighbors, to see the work our countries are doing to elevate our bilateral partnership towards a Strategic Partnership. Our enduring friendship is anchored by our values of mateship and bayanihan,” Hurley said.
The heads of state discussed during their meeting the expanding cooperation between Australia and the Philippines in defense, development, trade and people-to-people links.
According to the Australian Embassy in Manila, the leaders also reiterated the two countries’ commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
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