Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Japan, and the US in Tokyo for the Inaugural Session of the Trilateral Vice Foreign Ministers Meeting
From left to right: Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Japanese Vice Minister OKANO Masataka, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell
TOKYO 22 March 2024 - Undersecretary for Bilateral and ASEAN Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro joined her Japanese and US counterparts Vice Minister OKANO Masataka and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in Tokyo on 21 March 2024 for the inaugural Trilateral Meeting of Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs.
In her opening statement, Undersecretary Lazaro recalled that the desire of the Leaders and Foreign Ministers to elevate the Philippines-Japan-US partnership into one that has “the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific at the forefront” was the basis of the trilateral process. She observed that the trilateral meeting was a natural progression of the three parties’ existing robust and excellent bilateral cooperation, and their enduring friendship and alliance. She highlighted the shared values, shared interests, and shared respect of the three parties for the rules-based international order, whose partnership rests upon a solid foundation of trust, mutual respect and understanding.
The three parties exchanged ideas and information on how trilateral cooperation can add value to existing and prospective areas of work, especially in the economy and economic security, in order to amplify and sustain the momentum of growth in the Philippines and the resilience of the Filipino people. They agreed to advance work in strategic and critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, energy, critical minerals, security and defense cooperation including maritime security, and others.
The three parties agreed to lay the foundation for a successful and productive Inaugural Trilateral Summit in Washington DC in April 2024, which Undersecretary Lazaro said would be a “historic” meeting.
In a joint courtesy call on Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, Undersecretary Lazaro referred to the strength of PH-JP relations in all areas, thanked Japan for its support, and looked forward to the historic trilateral summit among the Leaders, whose resulting cooperation will benefit our peoples.
Undersecretary Lazaro separately met with Senior Deputy Minister FUNAKOSHI Takehiro. Both parties exchanged views on strategic and trade concerns, bilateral engagements, the regional environment, particularly on recent developments in ASEAN, and current challenges, especially those that continue to affect the welfare of Filipino seafarers working in vessels transiting the Red Sea. They discussed shared concerns, and looked forward to deepening engagements to advance the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership.
Undersecretary Lazaro is the Senior Official for the Philippines in ASEAN.
She met with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, during which time she shared Philippine priorities for resilience and economic security, and expressed the Philippines’ commitment to work with the US and Japan for a successful trilateral process. END
Vice Minister Okano welcomes Undersecretary Lazaro to the Trilateral meeting
Undersecretary Lazaro and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in a joint call on Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko (center)
Undersecretary Lazaro and Senior Deputy Minister FUNAKOSHI Takehiro
