Amid increasing tensions between Manila and Beijing over their territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Philippines and the United States are to hold a strategic dialogue today in Manila to discuss a range of issues such as the economy, rule of law, diplomatic engagement and defense. Carlos Kim Soreta, assistant secretary for American Affairs, said during a press briefing on Monday that this is the third Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between the two countries. He added that the Department of National Defense (DND) will tackle defense; the Department of Trade and Industry, the economy; and the Department of Justice, the rule of law.
Also on the agenda are economic linkages, inclusive growth, judicial reform, capacity-building of law enforcement, maritime security, defense cooperation and regional and global issues. Soreta said Adm.Samuel J. Locklear, commander in chief, Pacific Command, will be attending the plenary session, scheduled for Wednesday. The DND and the Department of Foreign Affairs will take the lead for the Philippine government in the forum. Citing the country’s long and lasting relationship with the United States, Soreta said, “We put structure to it, it is important, so that we have a common understanding of concepts and principles that bring us together to do common work,” he added.
Since the tensions in the South China Sea between Manila and Beijing erupted this year over occupation by Chinese fishermen of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), there has been a flurry of visits by American warships to the country. The visits, which were in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement, were preceded by acquisition of naval ships to augment the country’s depleted Navy. The Philippines has been rallying friends and allies to join in its campaign to apply the rule of law in the South China Sea, saying that Manila’s claim to the contested isles and shoal is in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Tuesday’s dialogue will be led by Foreign Undersecretary Linda Basilio and Defense Undersecretary Pilo Lorenzo Batino for the Philippine side and the State Department Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and Defense Assistant Secretary Mark Lippert for the US. We expect the third BSD to continue our countries’ high-level consultation and exchance of views on bilateral, regional and global issues which reflect our common values and emerging interests,” Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said. He added that he sees an accelerated deepening of Philippine-US relations beginning with the second BSD in January. “Our partnership with the US is strategically important to us as our country deals with a wide range of emerging challenges, from natural disasters to maritime disputes,” del Rosario said, adding that the third BSD will assess where the country’s maturing relationship with the US is at present and where it should take the Philippines in 2013.
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