20 January 2015 - United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel and Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario at the Department of Foreign Affairs this morning.  The two officials are in Manila to co-Chair the Fifth Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) from January 20 to 21.

The call on the Secretary provided an opportunity for strategic exchange of views on the bilateral relations as well as developments in the region. In the context of the long standing treaty alliance, they also set the directions for the Fifth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue.

The Bilateral Strategic Dialogue is expected to focus on the two countries’ strategic engagement in a broad range of areas covering the Rule of Law and Law Enforcement; Defense and Security; Economics, Development and Prosperity; and Regional and Global Diplomatic Engagement.

The United States is one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners, with a total trade of US$ 1.22 billion (January – June 2014).  Last year, the US was the third major export trading partner, with exports amounting US$ 0.61 billion.  The US is also one of the Philippines top sources of grants. In 2014, US grants / official development assistance to the Philippines amounted to US$ 875.30 million.  US economic assistance covers a broad range of programs –from supporting good governance reforms to improving infrastructure.

The Philippines and the United States have been treaty allies for over 60 years under the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. The United States is the only defense treaty ally of the Philippines, with a wide-ranging security partnership that includes assistance to support Philippine efforts towards enhancing its defense capabilities. END