On July 30, 2024, the fourth Philippines-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue took place in Manila, marking the first time the meeting was held in the Philippine capital.
The dialogue was attended by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral alliance and enhancing economic ties between the two nations.
The Secretaries highlighted the significant progress in the Philippines-United States Alliance over the past two years. They reaffirmed the importance of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which now explicitly covers armed attacks in the South China Sea, and emphasized the critical roles of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Key commitments include:
- Allocating $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.
- Establishing the Roles, Missions, Capabilities (RMC) Working Group to improve policy and operational coordination.
- Implementing the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) to guide defense modernization efforts.
- Increasing investments in EDCA locations, including an additional $128 million for infrastructure projects.
- Finalizing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of 2024.
- Advancing cybersecurity cooperation and maritime activities with Japan and Australia
The dialogue also focused on enhancing economic ties. The Secretaries celebrated achievements such as the U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission and the launch of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). They committed to:
- Supporting infrastructure investments and advancing cooperation in renewable energy, critical minerals, and semiconductors.
- Planning the 2nd U.S.-Philippines Energy Policy Dialogue and enhancing civil nuclear energy cooperation.
- Opening a U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) office in Manila to facilitate private sector investments.
The Secretaries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a rules-based international order and addressed concerns about regional stability, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. They emphasized the need for adherence to international law and greater coordination on maritime and security issues.
The dialogue underscored the importance of the strong historical and cultural bonds between the two nations. Plans include convening the inaugural Philippine-U.S. Democracy Dialogue and continuing educational partnerships to support capacity building and human capital development in the Philippines.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in the United States in 2025, reflecting the ongoing commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship and addressing shared challenges.
コメント