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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH-US-Japan trilateral cooperation in Indo-Pacific region gains ground — DFA chief

PH-US-Japan trilateral cooperation in Indo-Pacific region gains ground — DFA chief

Published Sep 23, 2023 04:57 am

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed that he had “a brief but fruitful discussion” with his counterparts from the United States and Japan on a possible trilateral cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which would include the South China Sea.

US-Japan-PH_UNGA.jpg(Photo from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken via Twitter)

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on early Saturday, Sept. 23 (Manila time),” the official said he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York for their second trilateral ministerial meeting.

“Glad to meet with @SecBlinken and our new counterpart from Japan, FM @Kamikawa_Yoko during #UNGA798. We had a brief but fruitful discussion on possible trilateral (Philippines, US, and Japan) cooperation @DFAPHL,” he wrote.

Manalo, Blinken, and then Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa previously held a first trilateral meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia in July this year.

It followed the meeting among President Marcos, US Vice President Kamala Harris, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jakarta.

In his remarks before the meeting, Blinken expressed optimism in deepening the work the three countries have started in ensuring the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

“We are very pleased and proud today to continue the work that we’re doing to support and work with our Filipino and Japanese allies in the South China Sea and in the East China Sea, and we’re looking forward to following up on the work that we’ve already started to look at how we can strengthen trilateral cooperation among us to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and also to foster, to strengthen economic resilience and to promote the common prosperity of our people,” he said.

“I think all three countries believe strongly that our collaboration, not only on a bilateral basis but on a trilateral basis, can produce very positive benefits not only for our countries but also for other countries and partners in the region and beyond,” the State Secretary added.

In a post on X, Blinken also reiterated the United States’ commitment “to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region” with the Philippines and Japan.

This was reposted by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko also stated that “unity” among the three countries is critical to the region.

“Grateful for the fruitful 2nd (Japan)-(Philippines)-(United States) Foreign Ministers Mtg (meeting) in NY. Our leaders stand as one to uphold multilateralism based on rule of law & stand firm against our common challenges. Unity of three countries serves as the foundation of FOIP (free and open Indo-Pacific),” he wrote.

In September 2021, during the Quad Leaders’ Summit, US President Joe Biden said that the future of each nation and the world “depends on a free and open Indo-Pacific enduring and flourishing in the decades ahead.”

The White House published its Indo-Pacific Strategy in February last year, which recognized the region as “vital” to the US “security and prosperity.”

The strategy would aim to: advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region, build connections within and beyond the region, drive regional prosperity, bolster Indo-Pacific security, and build regional resilience to transnational threats.

Related Tags

Indo Pacific Region Enrique Manalo United States Yoko Kamikawa South China Sea Antony Blinken
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