Philippines, US to hold 2+2 foreign, defence ministers’ dialogue

On July 30th, the Philippines and the United States will hold a 2 2 dialogue between their defense and foreign ministers in Manila, according to the Philippine foreign ministry on Monday ( July 22 ).

The officials are expected to talk about how to “in support of the rules-based global order, increased economic relationships, broad-based wealth, and solutions to evolving regional and global surveillance challenges,” according to a statement from the government.

The third high-level discussion since the file first started in 2012 is expected to take place between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

More than a fortnight after a dispute between the Philippines and China over Manila’s mission to replenish Filipino troops on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, their appointment comes more than a fortnight later. Since then, the parties have come to an agreement to lower conflicts.