Manila, Oct 10 (AP) Two Australian navy vessels,including a helicopter dock that's the country's biggest ship,have arrived in the Philippines for a five-day goodwill visitas Australia seeks an increased security presence and greaterinfluence in the region.
Her Majesty's Australian Ship Adelaide, a landinghelicopter dock, and HMAS Darwin, a guided missile frigate,docked today in Manila.
Philippine navy officials and Australia's ambassador tothe Philippines, Amanda Gorley, welcomed crew members from theships.
Gorley said the visit's primary focus is maritimesecurity and stability as well as disaster response.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Friday thata policy paper to be released later this year would spell outguidelines on how Australia can maximize and exercise powerand influence to defend a rules-based international order thatis under stress. (AP) HMPCPS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.