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MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted the invitation to meet with United States President Barack Obama in Washington DC on July 30, 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Sunday.
The White House said Arroyo will become Southeast Asia's first leader to meet the 44th US President. The DFA said she was also the first Southeast Asian leader to talk to President Obama after his election.
?The visit to Washington DC is an affirmation of the strong partnership between the two countries that share historical and cultural ties and common democratic values,? the DFA said in a statement.
President Arroyo is expected to discuss ?the Philippines? poverty alleviation and economic resiliency programs, good governance, counter-terrorism efforts, and its contributions to peace and security in the region,? the DFA said.
The White House statement that announced the invitation said the two leaders will be ?an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance US-Philippine cooperation on critical global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change, as well as further the traditionally strong alliance and bond between our nations.?
While in Washington DC, Arroyo will also meet with members of US Congress, other administration officials, the business sector, and the Filipino-American community, the DFA said.
Manila has remained a steadfast US ally in Southeast Asia, notably in Washington's efforts to root out extremists and terror cells.
In early June US Defense Secretary Robert Gates vowed stepped-up support for the Philippines in its battle against homegrown Islamic militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda.
The Philippines and United States are bound by a 1951 treaty that calls on each side to help the other in times of war.
US special forces advisers have trained and equipped their Philippine counterpart.
Diplomatic ties were strained after a US Marine who had participated in joint military exercises in the Philippines was convicted of raping a Filipino woman in 2006.
An appeals court overturned the decision early this year after the victim recanted her statement.
US troops have been rotating in the southern Philippines since 2003 for joint anti-terror training with their Filipino counterparts.
With reports from AFP
