Manila, November 15 (QNA) - The Philippines and Australia signed an updated defense cooperation agreement on Sunday to develop the military partnership between the two countries, accelerate coordination in joint operations and exercises, and complete the visiting forces status agreement signed between them.

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the agreement was signed by Secretary of Defense of Philippines Gilbert Teodoro and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown, during a ceremony held in the southern port of Manila, in the presence of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is visiting the Philippines.

The new agreement updates the memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation signed in 1995, and is based on the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries signed in 2007 and in force since 2012.

The Philippine Defense Secretary indicated that the agreement will contribute to accelerating and simplifying coordination procedures, thus enhancing cooperation in joint maritime patrols, including with other countries adopting similar approaches.

According to the Defense Secretary, the agreement will enhance the Philippines' deterrent capabilities in the Western Philippine Sea, which forms part of the South China Sea and whose areas are witnessing a territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing.

He explained that it would allow the expansion of naval, air and land military activities between the two countries, as well as accelerate humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. (QNA)