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WASHINGTON – The talks between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President Barack Obama have no fixed agenda and could touch on Ms Arroyo’s “legacy” when she leaves office next year, an official of the US Department of State said on Wednesday.
The Arroyo-Obama meeting is scheduled to last for 45 minutes, said the official, who spoke “on background” as a "senior State Department official" without being directly identified.
In a briefing for the Philippine media at the State Department in Washington D.C. four hours before Ms Arroyo’s scheduled arrival, the US official said it was up to both leaders to decide what to discuss in their meeting at the Oval Office on Thursday.
“This is an opportunity to highlight the importance and the value of this relationship,” the official said.
“This is one of our most enduring relationships in the world, this is a great opportunity for the President and the people of (other) countries to be reminded of the breadth and depth and importance of the relationship.’’
“It’s a working visit but it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be pleasant. They have a lot to talk about – climate change, the economy, trade, progress in Burma (Myanmar), and promoting non-proliferation particularly with regard to North Korea. But there is no formal agenda. They will decide what to talk about,” the official said.
“It’s also an opportunity to talk about the legacy that President Arroyo will leave with one more year in office,” the official added.
