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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Stable relationships a way to counter volatile world — US envoy

Stable relationships a way to counter volatile world — US envoy

Published Dec 6, 2024 04:12 am

​Fostering stable relationships between two countries—like that of the Philippines and the US—is one of the ways to counter turbulence in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, Washington's envoy to Manila said Friday, Dec. 6.

Speaking at the membership meeting of the Rotary Club in Manila, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said that the "strategic approach" to help us survive in a world we now live in, where the path ahead appears rocky and unclear, is to promote and nurture bilateral relationships.

And that's what the Philippines and the US have been doing for about 70 years, according to her.

For the past seven decades, Carlson said, the two countries have fostered peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader region in a move that is anchored on the security alliance and economic and cultural connections between the two nations.

She stressed that the past two years—or under the leadership of President Marcos—witnessed what were rather "incredible strides" in strengthening the foundation of that relationship in the face of "an increasingly chaotic world."

Carlson cited the existing Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which were bolstered recently, and the recent signing of Bilateral Defense Guidelines, the Philippines Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) as some of the ways both countries undertook to ensure that the security relationship will continue to advance regional stability​.

But the Philippines and the US military-to-military relationship is not the only one given focus.

As President Marcos said that economic security is also a national security, Carlson said, the US continued to support Philippines' economic development through sending its trade mission to Manila, leading the talks for the creation of an economic corridor in Luzon and participating in the Indo-Pacific Business Forum hosted by the Philippines.

​Carlson said that "we need strong, stable relationships to face the volatility in the world today," that's why the US "is committed to nurturing and strengthening ties with the Philippines as steadfast friends, partners in prosperity, and ironclad allies."

"No doubt, the US-Philippine relationship will become more important as we face the pressures of a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world," she added.

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