Statement of
Secretary Enrique A. Manalo
During the Press Conference on the
2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign
and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2)
Foreign Minister of Japan KAMIKAWA Yoko,
Defense Minister of Japan KIHARA Minoru,
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we convened the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting. This Meeting marks a milestone in our decade-old Strategic Partnership.
We reaffirmed our shared goals of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, promoting regional economic growth, and addressing the increasing and complex challenges in the region and beyond.
Amidst the backdrop of the geopolitical situation in this and other regions, which has put the stability and predictability of the rules-based international order under stress, we discussed global and regional issues of common concern.
I was honored to witness, along with the President, the signing today of our Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). An outcome of the hard work and dedication of our competent negotiators, the RAA brings our defense partnership to an unprecedented height. We also explored other measures to enhance and coordinate our defense and security policies.
Our two countries understand that our aspiration for peace and progress also requires economic resilience. Thus we agreed to further deepen economic cooperation and enhance our ability to react to unexpected economic developments. We also noted the need to strengthen cybersecurity systems.
As an archipelagic nation, we value our partnership with Japan on improving the capacity of our Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). We welcome the signing last May of the Exchange of Notes on the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for the procurement of five (5) additional PCG vessels. These assets will help enhance our maritime domain awareness and our ability to patrol our vast waters and to conduct maritime law enforcement. Related to this we discussed potential space-based cooperation.
We appreciate Japan’s long-term commitment to peace and development in Mindanao, which enhances our efforts to lay the foundation for good governance in the Bangsamoro.
We have broadened our business and economic ties through the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) despite some challenges. We will continue to work together to enhance our trade and investment relations.
We also recognized the potential gains from our nascent trilateral cooperation with the United States.
Finally, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to multilateralism. We discussed common approaches regarding the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and participation in the Friends of Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty or FMCT Friends.
Ours is a resilient partnership anchored on shared values and the enduring friendship between our two peoples. From today’s 2+2 Meeting, I am confident that this Strategic Partnership will flourish, delivering dividends for our peoples and serving as a pillar of regional stability.
Thank you.