Joint Ministerial Statement
9 October 2008, Manila
Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting
The Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alberto G. Romulo, and Secretary of Trade and Industry, the Hon Peter B. Favila, along with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, and Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean MP, met in Manila on 8-9 October 2008 for the second Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting.
The Secretaries and Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the bilateral relationship. They discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, reflecting the breadth and depth of the relationship between the Philippines and Australia. They welcomed the substantial progress achieved in implementing the Action Agenda agreed at the inaugural Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting in Sydney in 2005.
Relations between the Philippines and Australia have grown significantly in recent years, encompassing high-level ministerial and parliamentary contacts and extensive defense, security, economic, development and people-to-people engagement. Recognizing our shared interests and the significant potential for enhancing cooperation in many areas, Secretaries and Ministers agreed to work toward an even closer and more productive partnership.
Cooperation on counter-terrorism
The Secretaries and Ministers reviewed the regional security outlook. They welcomed the gains made in combating terrorism, including in the southern Philippines, and reaffirmed their determination to continue to work together through bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism. They welcomed the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Council whose efforts contributed to the effective combating of local terrorist groups. They welcomed the outcomes of the two rounds of bilateral counter-terrorism consultations conducted since the inaugural Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting.
Defense and Security Cooperation
The Secretaries and Ministers noted the extent and importance of defense cooperation between the Philippines and Australia, including in capacity building and the training of some 130 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel in Australia each year. They also looked forward to the entry into force of the reciprocal Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, concluded in Australia in 2007. The Secretaries and Ministers paid tribute to the work of the Armed Forces of The Philippines and the Philippine National Police in combating terrorism in the Philippines and pledged continued support for these efforts. They welcomed practical cooperation in law enforcement, transport and border security.
Peace Process
The Secretaries and Ministers discussed the new peace process paradigm adopted by the Philippine Government and looked forward to a just and peaceful resolution of the conflict in the southern Philippines. They agreed that a return to peace was essential to building hope and opportunity in Mindanao for the stability and development of the Philippines.
Trade and Investment
The Secretaries and Ministers agreed to target sustained growth of trade and investment links over the next five years. The recently concluded ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement presents a valuable opportunity to increase bilateral and regional economic integration and cooperation. They also committed to promote bilateral investment and expand bilateral trade in goods and services. Further, they agreed to cooperate on recruitment procedures and practices in relation to the movement of natural persons.
The Secretaries and Ministers also agreed further to explore and promote opportunities to strengthen cooperation in education and technical and vocational training, including through bridging courses and other institutional cooperation such as twinning arrangements between the Philippine and Australian universities and training centers. They further agreed to explore and promote cooperation on issues associated with recognition of qualifications, including mutual recognition arrangements for priority skills and professions. In particular, the Secretaries and Ministers welcomed Australia’s commitment to assist the Philippines to upgrade qualifications of Philippine nurses to meet Australia’s market requirements.
The Secretaries and Ministers agreed to continue cooperating to address bilateral issues and concerns relating to market access including quarantine and trade facilitation.
The Secretaries and Ministers acknowledged the potential of the mining sector to generate significant economic and development benefits for the Philippines, as it had for Australia. They welcomed the substantial Australian investment in the Philippine mining sector and noted that Australian expertise in sustainable mining practices could assist the development of responsible mining in the Philippines. They agreed to explore scope for further Australian technical assistance to the Philippines. Australia welcomed Philippine proposals to streamline regulatory processes by greater utilization of a central clearing house mechanism. Both sides agreed to work together to develop the professional expertise to ensure the growth and management of the mining sector.
The Secretaries and Ministers discussed with representatives of the business community the current status of trade and economic relations. They commended the contributions of the Philippines-Australia Business Council, the Australia-Philippines Business Council and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce to promoting the expansion of trade and investment.
Development Assistance
The Secretaries and Ministers agreed that efforts to address poverty, build individual and community capacity and create the conditions for greater economic development in the Philippines were essential. In this context they welcomed the significant contribution of Australia’s development assistance program of $109 million in 2008-09. To help build links between communities and to improve economic opportunities for the poor and access to basic services such as health and education, Australian Ministers announced a contribution of $100 million over 5 years from the aid program to roads in Mindanao and the Visayas and $13 million for a Muslim and Indigenous Peoples’ Education Facility. Contributions of $5 million for combating malaria and $1.8 million to reduce maternal and child mortality have also been made.
Regional and Multilateral Engagements
The Secretaries and Ministers noted the Philippines and Australia had proud histories of continuing positive engagement in regional and multilateral fora, including ASEAN-related bodies, the East Asia Summit, APEC and the United Nations.
The Secretaries and Ministers discussed the global financial situation and underscored the need for greater regional cooperation on economic and financial issues, including through the East Asia Summit and APEC. They reaffirmed their strong commitment to the successful conclusion of the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations, including as partners in the Cairns Group.
The Secretaries and Ministers agreed on the importance of concerted international action to address trans-boundary issues such as climate change and reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Philippines noted Australia’s initiative on an Asia Pacific Community (APC) and agreed to study the proposal further. Both countries agreed to continue their cooperation on regional interfaith dialogue. The Philippines welcomed Australia’s recent decision to upgrade its participation in the UN Ministerial Meetings on interfaith dialogue to full member status.
The Secretaries and Ministers agreed that the 3rd Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting would be hosted by Australia in 2010.
Manila
9 October 2008
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