Philippines, US to discuss bilateral issues in Washington

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and the United States are set to discuss bilateral and global issues in its second 2+2 Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Washington to discuss defense and security cooperation and developments in the economic engagements between the two countries.

The 2+2 Ministerial Meeting will also cover regional and global issues such as the South China Sea dispute, the Special ASEAN-US Summit in California and cooperation on climate change.

Del Rosario is expected to thank Kerry for the continued assistance of the US to the Philippines's defense modernization.

The two countries are committed to further enhance historic friendship as they mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-US diplomatic relations this year.

The Philippines and the US reaffirmed its bilateral alliance following the visit of US President Barack Obama in the country last November 2015.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines has been selected for a second Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact. The country has also expressed its interest in joining the Transpacific Partnership trade agreement.

The last ministerial meeting between the Philippines and the US was held in 2012.