(Eagle News) — United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed that he and US President Donald Trump will attend the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this November in the Philippines, as his country renewed its commitment to the ASEAN-US strategic partnership.
“The Philippines looks forward to the US’ renewed commitment to ASEAN-US strategic partnership at the upcoming ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) + 1 in August and the 5th ASEAN-US Summit in November,” said Acting Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo when he went to Washington to meet with Tillerson, along with other ASEAN foreign ministers.
The foreign ministers of the ASEAN met on May 4 with the US Secretary of State in Washington, where they reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two sides.
The year 2017 is particularly important as this marks the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN.
The 31st ASEAN Summit will take place alongside related meetings and a special celebration of “ASEAN@50” with the leaders.
The Special ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers Meeting was held against the backdrop of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-US dialogue relations.
“The Philippines reaffirms the importance of the ASEAN-US partnership especially to our community building. There is a high degree of convergence of interest between ASEAN and the US in maritime security, nuclear non-proliferation, cyber security, and combatting transnational crime, including terrorism and violent extremism, and trafficking in persons,” Acting Foreign Secretary Manalo told Secretary Tillerson during the meeting.
In particular, Acting Secretary Manalo said the Philippines looks forward to deeper cooperation between ASEAN and the US following the entry into force of the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in March this year.
The Philippines serves as chairman of ASEAN for 2017, which coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the group’s establishment.
Secretary Tillerson and US President Trump respectively, confirmed their attendance to the two meetings in Manila.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Korean Peninsula and agreed on the need for the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
They also reaffirmed the importance of adhering to a rules-based order in the South China Sea.
Acting Secretary Manalo underscored the Philippines’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes to achieve peace and stability in the region. He expressed hope for an early agreement on a framework for the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the SCS and the expeditious conclusion of the CoC itself.
ASEAN and the US also discussed their economic relations and welcomed further expansion of trade and investment ties.
The ten members of ASEAN are: Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; Indonesia; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; and Viet Nam. (based on a DFA report)
