US Secretary of State Visits the Philippines to Participate in ASEAN Meetings and Discuss Joint Cooperation

Washington, July 17 (KUNA) -- U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit the Philippine capital, Manila, from July 19 to 23, to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference and related meetings, as well as to meet with senior officials from countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a press statement on Friday, Pigott added that Secretary Rubio will also attend the East Asia Summit foreign ministers’ meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers’ meeting during the visit. He explained that “the visit underscores a clear U.S. priority: a free and open Indo-Pacific region that ensures safety, security, and prosperity for the region and for the American people.”

He noted that Rubio will focus on highlighting tangible results of the partnership between the United States and ASEAN, as well as deepening the comprehensive partnership between the United States and the Philippines.

The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, is hosting the meetings at a time when officials are examining the implications of rising oil prices and disruptions to shipping, logistics, and trade flows in export-dependent economies. (End) A.M.M. / M.N.F.