Hillary Clinton arrives Tuesday, to stress US-PH ties

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton AFP FILE PHOTO

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is arriving Tuesday in Manila for an overnight visit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty and to launch the Partnership for Growth (PFG) in the country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Clinton’s visit is part of  US President Barack Obama’s thrust to reaffirm and broaden alliances and partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific, the DFA said.

Malacañang, however, said there was no meeting scheduled yet as of press time between Clinton and President Benigno Aquino III.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it was not clear whether Mr. Aquino would be meeting with Clinton Tuesday or Wednesday.

The President is set to arrive early this morning from a four-day trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders Summit.

The President leaves for Bali, Indonesia, on Wednesday afternoon.

Clinton will also be coming from the Apec summit in Honolulu.

During her visit, she will meet with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to discuss new ways of stepping up US-Philippine alliance to a  higher level in 2012.

“Her visit underlines the enduring alliance and responsive strategic partnership between the Philippines and the US, and is the latest concrete manifestation of US action and reengagement in the most dynamic region in the world—the Asia Pacific,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

The PFG is a new Obama administration initiative which aims to unlock Philippine potential for broad-based and sustained economic growth.

The Philippines is one of only four countries chosen by the US to participate in this new type of engagement for development. Tina G. Santos and Christine O. Avendaño