THE defense ministers of Japan and Australia have separately agreed to deepen defense relations of their countries with the Philippines during separate meetings with Department of Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukasu Hamada and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ricard Marles met with Faustino last September 30 at the sidelines of the latter’s visit in Hawaii.
In a statement yesterday, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Faustino and Hamada talked about “current security developments in the region, particularly the situation in the South and East China Seas.”
He said the two officials also discussed ways to strengthen the defense cooperation of the two countries “through possible conduct of maritime cooperative activities, technology transfers, and dialogues at all levels, in order to address shared security challenges and advance cooperation.
“Both officials agreed to discuss other frameworks of cooperation that would further expand and deepen Philippines-Japan bilateral relations and support each country’s efforts in ensuring a secure and stable environment,” said Andolong.
Faustino and Marles also “exchanged views on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.
“They also explored ways to strengthen Philippines-Australia bilateral defense relations through maritime cooperation activities, counter-terror trainings, education and professionalization opportunities as well as dialogues and consultations to address shared security challenges and advance common interests,” said Andolong.
Andolong said Faustino and Marles also discussed “prospects for multilateral training activities with like-minded countries in addressing traditional and non-traditional security concerns.”
