MANILA, Philippines — British Foreign Secretary James Spencer Cleverly is in Manila for a day-long engagement with key officials, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday, saying the visit “is anticipated to reaffirm Philippines-UK ties and demonstrate mutually strong cooperation between the two governments.”
The visit is also “in line with the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership” launched in November 2021, the DFA said.
Cleverly’s visit is the first time since 2016 that a British foreign secretary has set foot in Manila.
The DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Cleverly are set to meet to exchange views on pressing regional issues. They had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta last July.
During this one-day visit to Manila, Cleverly will also be calling on other high-level officials of the Marcos administration.