BBM to visit Australia, address Parliament

President Marcos will visit Australia’s capital Canberra on Feb. 28 and 29 to speak before the Australian parliament and discuss key mutual issues, including defense and security, with the country’s senior officials, Malacañang announced yesterday.

- HELEN FLORES

Marcos is set to address Australian lawmakers on Feb. 29, when he is expected to discuss the vision for the strategic partnership signed between the Philippines and Australia last year, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

“The President will have separate meetings with Australian senior officials, where he is anticipated to have constructive discussions on defense and security, trade, investments, people-to-people exchanges, multilateral cooperation and regional issues,” the PCO added.

During his visit, Marcos will witness the signing of new agreements in areas of common interest to complement the “already robust” cooperation with Australia and expand engagements for mutual capacity-building, according to the PCO.

A Bloomberg article on Feb. 12 said Marcos would address a rare joint sitting of Australia’s parliament.