President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to attend a historical trilateral cooperation with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida next week in a bid to deepen economic ties of the Philippines with the US and Japan and adopt climate change mitigation programs, among others.
Department of Affairs (DFA) Acting Deputy Undersecretary Hans Mohaimin Siriban told the Malacañang Press Corps on Friday’s Palace briefing that the trilateral meeting of President Marcos, President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will build upon the previous meetings of the countries in Jakarta.
“The elevation of the Philippines-Japan-US partnership into this trilateral cooperation has the peace stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific at the forefront, which is the basis for this trilateral process,” Siriban told reporters.
“This trilateral meeting is a natural progression of the three parties existing robust, excellent bilateral cooperation, their enduring friendship and alliance, shared values, shared interests and shared respect of the three parties for the rules-based international order,” he added.
Siriban said the trilateral partnership between the Philippines, the US and Japan “rests on a solid foundation of trust, mutual respect and understanding,” aimed at adding value to the existing and prospective areas of work especially in the economy and economic security of the Philippines.
He added that the three leaders are expected to discuss their common vision for the Indo-Pacific Region, as well as explore opportunities for enhancing trilateral cooperation across various areas of mutual interest, including inclusive economic growth.
The DFA official said the meeting also aims to develop critical and emerging technologies, climate change cooperation and clean energy supply chains, and to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The three leaders are expected to issue a joint vision statement, Siriban said, which is intended to be a forward-looking document that does not only identify common principles that guide the trilateral partnership but also provide complete areas and projects for cooperation.
He explained the cooperation is anchored on the robust bilateral cooperation the Philippines has with US and Japan.
Asked if President Marcos’ trilateral meeting with the US and Japan is not “poking the bear,” Siriban said the visit is not directed at any country, as it is only anchored on deepening the existing strong alliances with the US and Japan.
“The primary focus really is on the economic cooperation, building on economic resilience because I think, for the Philippines, our interest really is to build economic resilience and bilaterally, our friends from the US and Japan have been very active in supporting us in a bilateral context,” Siriban said.
“But here we are looking at an expanded platform where we can look at synergies, where our three countries can cooperate in enhancing the economic resilience of the Philippines, especially in the areas of strategic and critical infrastructure,” he added.
“We are also looking at cooperating to help, you know, the Philippines is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, so we are looking at actions, at activities that will help address and mitigate the impact of climate change and help the Philippines adapt to climate change,” he also stated.
Siriban stressed President Marcos’ visit to the US is focused on economic cooperation. PND
