PH, US set 2+2 dialogue on July 30

Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States are set to conduct a foreign and defense ministerial dialogue, otherwise known as 2+2 on July 30.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the matter in a statement issued to diplomatic beat reporters late Monday night.

READ: PH, US to finalize 2 pacts this month

“Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. will host United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in Manila on 30 July 2024 for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue),” said DFA.

The agency said during this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss the following:

• 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

• Solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges

• Apart from the dialogue between top foreign affairs and defense officials, the DFA said Secretaries Blinken and Austin are also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during their visit.

According to DFA, the last iteration of the 2+2 Dialogue was held in April 2023 in Washington, DC.