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Philippines, US continue talks on upping defence ties

Officials from the Philippines and the US started the 7th round of negotiations on enhancing defence cooperation in Manila on March 24.
Officials from the Philippines and the US started the 7th round ofnegotiations on enhancing defence cooperation in Manila on March 24.

Philippine Deputy Minister of Defence Pio Lorenzo was quoted bynews agencies as saying shortly before the opening of the two-daymeeting that he hopes the two countries will make significant progressat this round for their mutual interests.

Meanwhile, AmbassadorEric John, head of the US panel, said both sides hope to reach anagreement that helps strengthen their individual and collective defencecapabilities.

The 6th round of negotiations took place in Washington early this month.

Negotiationsfor the bilateral agreement on enhanced defense cooperation startedfrom August 2013. It is expected to be signed during the upcoming visitof US President Barack Obama to the Philippines in April.-VNA
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