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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US asserts trilateral summit with PH, Japan 'not against anyone'

US asserts trilateral summit with PH, Japan 'not against anyone'

Published Mar 19, 2024 08:14 am

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, March 19, insisted that the first US-Japan-Philippines’ leaders’ summit scheduled next month at the White House is “not designed” against anyone amid growing concerns in the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

Marcos_Biden_Kishida.jpg(From left) US President Joe Biden, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., and Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (Noel Pabalate/AFP/MANILA BULLETIN)

 

Speaking in a press conference during his two-day visit to Manila, Washington’s highest-ranking diplomat clarified that the trilateral summit scheduled on April 11 “is in service of realizing a common vision for the future, to the benefit of the people of our countries.”
 

“With regard to the partnership, to the alliances that we have been building out, that’s actually the central focus of our foreign policy. Not only the reenergizing, reinvigorating existing partnerships and alliances, but reimagining them and building new ones that are fit for specific purposes,” he said.
 

“None of these are directed against anyone or anything. They are in service of something therefore trying to realize the positive vision that all of countries involved share of a free and open and Indo-Pacific,” he added.
 

Blinken stressed that the trilateral work being done with the Philippines and Japan has “a very strong affirmative agenda” but maintained that “it is not designed against anyone.”
 

Noting that the Philippines, US, and Japan “have a shared vision for free and open Indo-Pacific,” he described the summit as a recognition that “we are stronger when we do it together.”
 

“Our work together to uphold international law is something all of our three countries feel strongly about,” the official added.
 

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo also clarified that the trilateral summit will seek cooperation not only in peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, but also in promoting economic growth and cooperation in various areas, such as clean energy.
 

“The basic aim essentially is to reaffirm also our historical ties and friendship, our commitment to share democratic values and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and how to promote prosperity, security, and peace of our people in the region,” he added.
 

The meeting at the White House next month will be the first time the three leaders will meet with each other at the same time. Marcos met with Kishida and Biden separately on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City last September 2022.
 

Both Japan and the Philippines are US treaty-allies, with the Philippines also enjoying deep ties with Japan.
 

The meeting is expected to be viewed closely by the diplomatic community, especially by Beijing, as Manila and Tokyo are hoping to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement this month to allow Japanese defense forces in the country.
 

The agreement is similar to the Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.

Related Tags

trilateral summit United States South China Sea Antony Blinken
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