‘PH, US equal partners in promoting peace’

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. File Photo

THE United States is committed to treat the Philippines as an “equal and sovereign partner” in promoting peace, prosperity and international law-based order in the region, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

He issued the statement after a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wherein they discussed cooperation between their governments.

Manalo on Sunday tweeted, “[I] Spoke with Secretary Blinken. [I] Appreciate US commitment to alliance and to the Philippines as an equal and sovereign partner in promoting peace, prosperity and international law-based order in the region.”

Manalo, in another tweet, said he and Blinken “agreed to continue working together on building resilient supply chains, addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to clean energy.”

During the commemoration of the 246th anniversary of US Independence, US Embassy in Manila Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said, each year on the 4th of July, they honor American Independence Day “and our founding principles — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“On the same day, we also celebrate the long history of collaboration and friendship between our two nations, Philippine-American Friendship Day,” she said in a speech on Friday.

“We here at the Embassy, as well as our partners in the United States, look forward to working closely with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his team to secure a prosperous, healthy, and safe future for the peoples of both our nations,” she said.

Variava said Americans and Filipinos around the world “have worked hand-in-hand and stood united as we tackled challenges.”

She said the strong historical ties between the US and the Philippines, the countries’ shared democratic values and ongoing cooperation to address some of the most pressing issues of the time “make the US-Philippines partnership as important today as it ever was.”

“We are indeed safe together. Together, we look forward to developing new trade and investment opportunities that create jobs and spur economic growth,” Variava said.

She said Manila and Washington “look forward to partnering on clean energy solutions, protecting marine and terrestrial resources, and tackling the climate crisis.”

“Together, we look forward to supporting peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” Variava said.