The Philippines, United States, and Japan concluded a productive Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the margins of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity. Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi led the discussions.
The Foreign Ministers engaged in comprehensive talks aimed at strengthening security cooperation, with a particular focus on safeguarding regional peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Secretary Lazaro underscored the Philippines’ view of the United States and Japan as indispensable partners in enhancing its defense and security capabilities. She conveyed the Philippines’ deep appreciation for the enduring support from both the United States and Japan regarding the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea, and acknowledged the United States’ steadfast commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to economic advancement, with Secretary Lazaro emphasizing, “for us to be politically strong, we have to be economically strong.” In this spirit, the ministers discussed advancing trilateral cooperation through the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). This vital initiative connects Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas (SCMB), aiming to decentralize economic development beyond the National Capital Region and foster new growth hubs across Central and Southern Luzon. Secretary Lazaro extended gratitude to the United States for its crucial USD 3.8 million funding towards the pre-feasibility study of the SCMB Freight Railway, a project poised to significantly enhance connectivity and economic activity.
Furthermore, in pursuit of digitalization across the three nations, discussions delved into deeper cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity capacity building and workforce development. This collaboration seeks to build safer, more secure, and more resilient cyberinfrastructure and systems, crucial for the digital future of the region.
The meeting underscored the robust and evolving partnership between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, highlighting their collective resolve to address regional challenges and foster sustainable development.
