Readout of the Courtesy Call of Ambassador Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs on Secretary Enrique Manalo

08 March 2023

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo received Ambassador Victoria Nuland, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, at the DFA on 06 March 2023. The two officials underscored the importance of the PH-U.S.Alliance and partnership to promote peace, stability and resilience in the region.

Secretary Manalo and Ambassador Nuland exchanged views on recent developments in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, as well as other bilateral and global issues of mutual concern, with an eye towards identifying concreted measures that the two countries can pursue jointly, and together with other like-minded partners.

The meeting was an opportunity to preview plans for the forthcoming 2+2 Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by the United States next month, which will be co-led by the Philippine Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defense and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense. Both sides agreed to expand the scope of the 2+2 to include broader security considerations, such as food security, energy, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and supply chains. END