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Philippines, US to hold 2-plus-2 security talks in April

The Philippines and the US will hold security talks in Washington on April 11, the first in about seven years, a spokesman of the US Embassy in Manila said on March 20.
Philippines, US to hold 2-plus-2 security talks in April ảnh 1Philippine Secretary of National Defence Carlito Galvez (left) and US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall preside a groundbreaking ceremony for the runway rehabilitation of Basa Air Base in Pampanga province, the Philippines, on March 20. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and the US will hold security talks in Washington on April 11, the first in aboutseven years, a spokesman of the US Embassy in Manila said on March 20.

The dialogue, which involves their foreign and defence chiefs,is the latest sign that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s governmentis eager to enhance its alliance with the US, reported Kyodo news agency.

Also, from April 11, the twocountries will kick off their annual Balikatan military exercise with a totalof over 17,000 soldiers, including those from Australia, Philippine defencechief Carlito Galvez said.

Plans are also underway for Manilaand Tokyo toward signing a Visiting Forces Agreement so that Japan's Self-DefenceForces can take part in joint military exercises in the Philippines, theofficial added.

Earlier, US Air Force Secretary FrankKendall said his country and the Philippines will announce new sites as soon aspossible within the framework of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement(EDCA) which allows the US access to military bases in the Southeast Asiancountry.

Last month, the PhilippinePresident granted the US access to four more military bases, in addition to the existing five under the EDCA./.

VNA
#Philippines #Japan #security talks #military exercies #Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement #Vietnam Plus #Vietnam News Agency Philippines
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