-' 11 MAY 1979: MANILA
JOINT COMMNUNIQUE: PRESIDENTr MARCOS AND PRIME MINISTER FRASER
At the invitation of His Excellency President Ferdinand E3. Marcos,
the Prime Minister of Australia, the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser,
made an official visit to the Republic of the Philippines from
8 to 11 May 1979.
During the visit the President and the Prime Minister held
extensive discussions on a wide range of subjects of mutual interest.
The talks were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere,
reflecting the important and expanding relationship between the
Philippines and Australia.
Discussion covered three broad areas: regional and world
stability; the international economic situation; and the bilateral
relationship between the Philippines and Australia.
The President and the Prime Minister agreed that some aspects
of the international situation caused considerable concern, with
areas of instability affecting parts of Africa, the Middle East
and Indo-China. In addition, they noted that international economic
difficulties added significantly to world tensions.
In such circumstances, Australia and the countries of the ASEAN
region had a strong mutual interest in working closely together
to prevent such tensions from impeding the peaceful progress and
development of the region.
The President and the Prime Minister noted the recent normalization
of relations between China and the United States and the conclusion
of the Friendship Treaty between China and Japan, and agreed that
these events created new opportunities for these countries to play
a positive and constructive role in the Asia/ Pacific region.
They expressed the hope that the Soviet Union would make a similar
constructive contribution.
The two leaders expressed serious concern about the situation
in Indo-China and called for a settlement of differences among
the parties concerned. They agreed that disputes should be
settled by peaceful means, and without resort to the use of force.
The President and the Prime Minister referred to the critical
importance of the 5th Session of the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development, currently being held in Manila. They agreed
that its location and timing made the present conference especially
important. The immediately preceding period had been one of
reduced growth of world trade caused by inflation and leading to
the spread of unemployment and the dangerous increase of protectionism. ./ 2
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The two leaders recalled the part they and their governments
has played to date in bringing about an agreement on the basic
elements of a Common Fund, and welcomed the prospects it brings
for greater stability in commodity prices at levels which are
remunerative to producers and equitable to consumers. They
expressed the firm conviction that the Fund should be established
as soon as possible.
They also called, in particular, upon producers and consumers
to proceed to negotiate expeditiously appropriate international
commodity agreements and arrangements under the Integrated
Programme for Commodities of which the Common Fund was a key
instrument.
The President and the Prime Minister agreed further that there
was a need to look to the future and to improve on the results
of the Multilateral Trade Negotiations. It was of critical
importance to achieve significant reductions in barriers to
world trade. In this context, they noted that high rates of
inflation were a significant element in the slower growth in
volume of international trade and in market opportunities for
all countries, especially developing ones. They therefore called
upon countries, and in particular the major industrialized ones,
to pursue policies to bring inflation under control.
The President and the Prime Minister were pleased with the
contribution that had been made by ASEAN to political stability and
the economic and social development of the region. The
Prime Minister emphasized Australia's strong commitment to
South-East Asia and the whole-hearted support for ASEAN, which he
referred to as an excellent example of the strength and stability
which could be achieved through regional cooperation. It was a
basic element of Australia's policy to work closely and
cooperatively with ASEAN in all matters.
The two leaders discussed the new Australian low air fare scheme
and, in this connection, they welcomed the progress made in the
discussions at the recent meeting of Australia and ASEAN officials
in Kuala Lumpur, including the agreement to recommend to ASEAN
and Australian Ministers a settlement on a package basis.
The President and the Prime Minister agreed to start discussions
on arrangements covering routes between Australia, the Philippines
and countries to the north.
The President and the Prime Minister reviewed the full range of the
bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia and
were able to settle a number of issues, thus clearing the way for
the fuller development of the existi ng network of
bilateral agreements.
Referring to the Nuclear Safeguards Agreement which has just
been concluded,-the two leaders agreed that this would be the
basis for subsequent arrangements for the supply of uranium from
Australia to the Philippines. ./ 3
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The President and the Primc Minister noted that while the value
of trade between the two countries has increased considerably,
there remains a significant balance in Australia's favour. In
this context, they noted and the President welcomed the
arrangements that the Australian Government was making to
increase market opportunities for exports to Australia from the
Philippines and other ASEAN countries.
The two leaders welcomed the exchange of letters of ratification
which they had authorized to bring into force the trade
agreement between Australia and the Philippines and agreed
that this was a significant development.
The Prime Minister and the President further welcomed the signing
of a double taxation agreement between the two countries which
would help promote greater economic cooperation.
These various agreements, together with the accompanying
strengthening of the political relationship, reflected the growing
warmth and cooperation between the Philippines and Australia.
The two leaders recognized the considerable prospects for the
substantial growth in tourism between Australia and the
Philippines and agreed to consider early measures to realize this
potential. The President welcomed the continuing commitment of the
Australian Government to the economic development of the
Philippines through its various aid programs, and the Prime Minister
confirmed that the Australian Government expected to maintain
its aid allocations to the Philippines.
The Prime Minister said that the Australian Government had
studied a recent Philippines request for assistance in the
development of its energy capability, and confirmed that Australia
would provide such assistance. The President welcomed the
Prime Minister's assurance that Australia intended to be a reliable and
reasonable supplier of energy sources to the Philippines.
The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure and deep gratitude to the
President and Government of the Republic of the Philippines for
their invitation to him to visit Manila,, and for the excellent
arrangements and gracious hospitality that had been offered
to his party. The President accepted an invitation by the
Prime Minister to visit Australia at a mutually convenient time.
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