The Philippines and the United States have agreed to hold their second bilateral strategic dialogue early next year in Washington.
This was announced yesterday by Kurt Campbell, US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who is on a two-day official visit to Manila.
Campbell said he was “delighted to once again visit the Philippines and continue our very constructive dialogue as we enter a period of renewed bilateral engagement and precedent-setting regional summits.”
In a statement released by the US Embassy, Campbell said he and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario “had an excellent conversation on the range of our partnership activities, including a commitment to hold our second bilateral strategic dialogue.”
Enhancing relations
Manila hosted the first bilateral strategic dialogue between the two countries last January.
Del Rosario called the dialogue a “clear manifestation of both countries’ resolve to enhance relations.”
The dialogue aims to “affirm the strength of the Philippine-US alliance and the dynamic partnership for peace, security, stability and prosperity,” he said.
He added: “With a changing regional and global environment, the Philippines and the US are now looking forward to shifting the partnership into higher gear at a time when our ties have become broad-based, modern, mature and resilient.”
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. said that “through this dialogue, our two governments will affirm our commitment to our longstanding alliance and to continuing our work as equal partners, discuss current challenges and identify new areas for cooperation.”
Campbell and Del Rosario also discussed the coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting in Hawaii on November 12-13, the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders meeting on November 18 and the East Asia Summit on November 19, Thomas said.
Shared agenda
According to Campbell, “each of these summits provides a key opportunity to work together to strengthen regional institutions, define our shared agendas and set a course for a future of mutual support and cooperation.”
Campbell disclosed that during a meeting with General Eduardo Oban Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, both “agreed that the issue of the South China Sea is one that is best addressed through multilateral mechanisms and peaceful dialogues.”
Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles and peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, meanwhile, assured Campbell of the Aquino administration’s “commitment to a negotiated solution with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”
“We fully support the government of the Philippines’ efforts to bring security and stability to the southern Philippines through the ongoing peace process,” Campbell said.