Another country has given their message to Philippines’ presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte. It is none other than Australia who congratulated him and hoped for strengthening ties between the two nations.
“Australia looks forward to continue working with the new Philippines Government to further develop our enduring bilateral relationship and to address shared regional and global challenges,” Australia claims in their statement given.
The congratulatory note was reported to have come weeks after Duterte warned of cutting ties with Australia and his controversial statement on the 1989 rape and death of an Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill.
Moreover, Australia promised to enhance diplomatic ties with the Philippines, emphasizing the shared values and interests of the two nations such as democracy, peace and security. They stated: “Australia will work with the new Philippines Government on alignment of our economic partnership to support continued economic, governance and social reforms that are important to inclusive economic growth. We anticipate that the gains of recent years can be sustained and built upon,”
The country also highlighted that they signed a Comprehensive Partnership with the Philippines in 2015 with the aim to “to deepen our cooperation to advance our mutual interests in trade, development and regional security.”
The two nations have had bilateral relations for 70 years. Also, al least 250,000 Filipinos are living in Australia and an estimate of 10,000 Filipino students are studying there.
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