22 May, CANBERRA – The Embassy of the Philippines joins the country in celebrating Philippines-Australia Friendship Day. The Philippines observes Philippines-Australia Friendship Day on 22 May of every year by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No 1282 series of 2016.

This year, the Philippines and Australia celebrate 77 years of friendship highlighting deep and broad cooperation in a wide range of areas. A series of high-level visits to Manila took place in recent months reflecting the historic, robust and dynamic relations of the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles MP was in Manila on 21-23 February and met President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Vice President Sara Duterte and Defense Senior Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Carlito G. Galvez Jr.

On 20-25 April, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell travelled to Manila and met Trade and Investment Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno. This was followed by the visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong on 16-18 May where she met the President, Vice President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo.

The Embassy celebrates the enduring friendship of the Philippines and Australia and extends this greeting to the Filipino community who have made this relationship personal and special. -END-