US President Barack Obama met with his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III in his Oval Office over bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern.
"The Philippines is a close friend and a key economic and security partner for the United States," said a statement released by the White House after the meeting. "The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship."
Stating the alliance between the two countries "has contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region for over 60 years," the statement said. "Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the peace and security of the region and to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty" signed in August 1951.
Obama also reaffirmed US support for the Philippines' efforts to build "a minimum credible defense posture," the statement said, citing as examples the transfer of a second US Coast Guard Cutter to the Philippine Navy, support for the Philippine National Coast Watch System, and the growing number of bilateral exercises and training programs.
"The presidents agreed to build on our successful security cooperation on counterterrorism by expanding efforts to enhance joint military capabilities and interoperability in humanitarian assistance, as well as in the areas of disaster relief, maritime security and maritime domain awareness," the statement noted.
It said they committed as well to redouble efforts to "bolster and deepen" efforts to expand bilateral trade and promote greater trade and economic integration in the region.
On the situation in the South China Sea, the two leaders " underscored the importance of the principles of ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unimpeded lawful commerce," the statement said.
"They expressed firm support for a collaborative diplomatic process among claimants to resolve territorial disputes in a manner consistent with international law and without coercion or the use of force," said the statement.
"President Obama conveyed his support for the ongoing efforts within ASEAN to reach an agreement with China on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that creates a rules-based framework for managing and regulating the conduct of parties, including preventing and managing disputes," the statement added, referring to the regional bloc of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Speaking at a lunch for the Philippine president at the State Department on Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated that "the United States does not take a position on the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea."
"But we do, however, have a clear interest in the maintenance of peace and stability, freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea," she added.-The Philippine Star (June 10, 2012)
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