The Philippines and Australia recently agreed to enhance their partnership by elevating their relations from a comprehensive to a strategic partnership. This essentially means expanding cooperation in various areas of endeavor.
For his part, Albanese said the signing of a new Strategic Partnership and other memoranda of understanding “is an important symbol of the strength of our relationship and our shared commitment to do more together.” Australia is the Philippines’ second largest partner in defense and security and one of only two bilateral partners with whom we maintain a Visiting Forces Agreement VFA, apart from the United States.