The Australian Government welcomes the apparently peaceful and constitutional resolution of the political crisis in the Philippines.
We in Australia have followed with both intense interest and concern developments in the Philippines which flowed from the impeachment proceedings launched against former president Estrada.
It had become increasingly apparent in recent days that a peaceful transfer of authority from Joseph Estrada to his vice-president was needed to end the immediate impasse.
Australia enjoys a close association with the Philippines. It is a country with which we have many ties.
I congratulate the newly installed president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
She is an experienced political figure in her country and the daughter of a former president. Her electoral support is strong having secured a higher popular vote than Estrada when they were elected in 1998.
Australia wishes President Macapagal Arroyo every success in responding to the enormous challenge she now faces in restoring stability and direction to political life in the Philippines.
20 January 2001