The Philippines, the United States, and Japan are focused on developing their trilateral economic partnership to complement their growing security ties, the US State Department said Saturday.
The foreign ministers of the three countries – Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi – discussed the initiative and emphasized unlocking more private sector investments in their flagship Luzon Economic Corridor during a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meetings in Malaysia on July 10, the department said in a statement.
Rubio highlighted the Philippines’ wealth in critical minerals and stressed the need to diversify global supply chains for these resources. The three officials also proposed expanding trilateral cooperation in areas such as cyber security, energy (including civil nuclear energy), and investments in reliable and secure telecommunications networks.
They agreed to hold sectoral trilateral discussions at the senior officials’ level in the coming months to advance their shared vision for peace and security in the region.
During the same meeting, the officials reaffirmed their support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and pledged to coordinate efforts on maritime security through joint maritime activities, military exercises, and capacity-building programs for the Philippine Coast Guard and other maritime authorities.
Lazaro underscored the Philippines’ commitment to its alliance with both countries, describing the US and Japan as “indispensable partners” in enhancing the country’s defense and security capabilities.
She also expressed appreciation for their support on the South China Sea issue and the United States’ continuing commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
