Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet on Monday, June 9, “to discuss matters of mutual interest.”
Manalo, Rubio to discuss PH-US 'mutual interest' in Washington meet
(From left) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (AP, DFA)
In his pre-departure statement before leaving for a working visit to the United States on Saturday, June 7, Manalo announced his “many official engagements” in New York.
“In my official meetings in New York, I will affirm the unwavering commitment of the Philippines, as a founding member of the United Nations, to remain actively engaged in all discussions to support the UN and work with UN member states for global action on pressing challenges of our time,” the DFA chief said.
“Solidarity around the principles and the common purpose for international peace and security underpinning the UN Charter must prevail especially as the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year,” he added.
Aside from his meeting with Rubio, he will also deliver the keynote speech at the 127th Philippine Independence Day, which will be hosted by outgoing Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN in New York Antonio Lagdameo.
Manalo will be replacing Lagdameo as permanent representative to the UN in New York, a post he has held in the previous administration.
In his visit to New York, the DFA chief will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on June 11, and will attend the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Manalo and Rubio previously had a phone call after US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. They also met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last February.
Before leaving the DFA for his post as permanent representative to New York in UN, the DFA chief would have to undergo through the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).