PH, US to discuss ways to enhance alliance during Manila talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23, 2024): PH, US to discuss ways to enhance alliance during Manila talks (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

IMPROVED COOPERATION. US State Secretary Antony Blinken (left) and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo speak to foreign and local media after their bilateral meeting at Sofitel Manila on March 19, 2024. Manalo said an improved cooperation with Washington is vital for the Philippines to build its capacity not only for maritime but also for humanitarian operations. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States are set to discuss ways to bolster their 72-year-old alliance in the upcoming Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) next week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday announced that Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will meet with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III in Manila for the 2+2 on July 30.

This will be the 4th iteration of the Philippine-US ministerial dialogue, following the meeting held in Washington DC last April 2023.

“The Philippines-U.S. Alliance has contributed to the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years,” the DFA said in a press statement.

“During this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance our two countries’ ironclad commitment to this alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges,” it added.

In the last 2+2 meeting, the two states issued a joint statement that reaffirmed full support for international law, modernizing shared defense capabilities of the alliance, advancing economic and environmental security, and cultivating vibrant and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Blinken and Austin are also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during their visit to Manila, the DFA said.

The US has reiterated its “ironclad commitment” to the alliance on numerous occasions in the face of Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

During his visit to Manila on March 19, Blinken said the US would continue to bolster its maritime, defense, as well as economic cooperation with Manila.

He said Washington DC’s foreign policy is to reinvigorate existing partnerships in the region and “build nuance that are fit” for the needs of its partner country.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229554