Cayetano, Pompeo Meet for First Time; Vow to Reinforce PH-US Ties

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo warmly greet each other at the US Department of State on 21 June 2018. Looking on are Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez and Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Maria Lumen Isleta. (Washington PE photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 25 June 2018 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo met for the first time on 21 June 2018, and both diplomats agreed to work closely together to further reinforce the partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

“Secretary Cayetano and Secretary Pompeo had an open and cordial interaction at the State Department and we are optimistic this would reinforce the ties that bind the relations between our two countries and peoples,” Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said.

During the meeting that was also participated in by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Secretary Cayetano and Secretary Pompeo underscored the importance both the Philippines and the United States place on their shared historical and people-to-people ties and the strength of their defense alliance. Ambassador Romualdez said the meeting also allowed Secretary Cayetano the opportunity to share with his counterpart the independent foreign policy of the Duterte Administration and its positions on such issues as the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula/

“The Secretary told Secretary Pompeo the Philippines views the current developments in the Korean peninsula with optimism and that the Philippines is hoping the positive momentum generated by the Singapore Summit will bode well for the broader Asia-Pacific region,” Ambassador Romualdez said. According to the envoy, Secretary Cayetano also delivered a personal letter from President Rodrigo Duterte congratulating President Donald Trump for the successful summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore earlier this month.

During the meeting, both Secretary Cayetano and Secretary Esperon conveyed to Secretary Pompeo Manila’s appreciation for the assistance and cooperation extended by the US in various areas, including counterterrorism and the rehabilitation of Marawi.

Ambassador Romualdez said Secretary Pompeo expressed hope for another meeting between President Duterte and President Trump as a follow up to the productive and warm friendship that the two leaders developed during the Philippine hosting of the ASEAN Summit in Manila last November.

Aside from Secretary Esperon and Ambassador Romualdez, also present during the meeting was Assistant Secretary Ma. Lumen Isleta of the Office of American Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs. END

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA @philippinesusa on Twitter

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano signs guest book at the US Department of State, prior to his meeting with his American counterpart, Secretary Mike Pompeo, on 21 June 2018. (Washington PE photo)

Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. joins US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on 21 June 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Washington PE photo)

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greet members of the press prior to their first meeting on 21 June 2018 at the US Department of State, Washington D.C. (Washington PE photo)