US secretary of state meets Philippines counterpart at Munich Security Conference

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Friday met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

According to the US State Department, during the meeting Rubio reaffirmed the US' commitment to its alliance with the Philippines. He also expressed his desire to build “an even more invested and enduring relationship.”

The two officials discussed U.S.-Philippines coordination on addressing “China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea,” the statement said.

Their talks also covered growing economic cooperation in several sectors, including civil nuclear cooperation, infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy.

On X, Manalo said the Philippines is committed to working with the US “to further strengthen economic and security ties.”

Praising their “great first in-person meeting,” he added: “A strong and committed Philippine-US partnership in various areas will contribute to a more robust alliance.”

The three-day Munich Security Conference is due to end Sunday.