The Philippines wants to go beyond security issues and is now seeking to intensify economic cooperation with the United States as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
This was conveyed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano in his meeting with Republican Sen. Cori Gardner during his official visit to Washington.
“For so long, it was security that defined Philippine-US relations and we think it is about time that we start looking at the socio-economic milieu as another defining characteristic of our relationship,” Secretary Cayetano told Senator Gardner, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cyber-Security Policy.
“Let us use the present to reexamine the relationship with the objective of advancing our core interests together,” Secretary Cayetano told the Colorado legislator who he first met in Manila during his official visit to the Philippines in May.
For his part, Senator Gardner expressed optimism about the availability of opportunities to increase trade, investment and other economic exchanges with the Philippines.
He likewise noted that a robust and dynamic Philippines-US relationship contributes to the strength of the national economies of both countries.
Secretary Cayetano also briefed Senator Gardner about the Philippine Government’s efforts to continue engagement with international partners on the issue of human rights and counterterrorism.
“It is important that we keep our communication lines open to directly address matters of possible concern to our partners,” the Secretary told Senator Gardner as he also express appreciation the meeting and the candid exchange of views.
Secretary Cayetano was accompanied in the meeting by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Jose Luis Montales, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola, Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Maria Andrelita Austria, and Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC. | via Sweeden Velado- PTV
