From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): US Defense Chief reaffirms commitment for greater US-PHL military cooperation
Visiting United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the ongoing discussions on a Framework Agreement that will allow widerUS military presence in the Philippines
In a statement following his meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III Friday in Malacanang, Hagel said the agreement will strengthen cooperation between the two countries militarily and help them work together more effectively.
“So, both now and the future, that relationship will strengthen,” Hagel said adding that “this progress is welcomed and encouraging. I noted that negotiating teams are working hard to finish the Framework Agreement in the near future.”
TheUS official also assured that the United States doesn’t seek permanent bases in the Philippines and instead use a new model of military-to-military cooperation suited for the US and the Philippines
Hagel said that theUS looks to increase its rotational presence in the Philippines as what America did recently in Singapore and Australia
“Such an arrangement would benefit both our militaries by increasing our ability to train and operate together. Deepening engagement opportunities between our forces will further support President Aquino’s defense modernization agenda,” theUS
Hagel said the US has a great deal of experience in building a modern military and his country is willing to share what it learned in the past to its Filipino allies.
The US Defense Chief stressed that he discussed with President Aquino the situation in the South China Sea, an issue which theUnited States
The US, he said, supports ASEAN’s efforts to negotiate the South China Sea Code of Conduct, which will help peacefully-manage disagreements and tensions arising from competing territorial and maritime claims.
Hagel encouraged claimant nations to peacefully resolve their disputes to internationally accepted mechanisms in accordance with international law including the Law of the Sea.
He said theUS supports the Philippines
The US Defense Secretary arrived inManila as part of his four-nation trip to South-East Asia . His visit to the Philippines
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=560628
Visiting United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the ongoing discussions on a Framework Agreement that will allow wider
In a statement following his meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III Friday in Malacanang, Hagel said the agreement will strengthen cooperation between the two countries militarily and help them work together more effectively.
“So, both now and the future, that relationship will strengthen,” Hagel said adding that “this progress is welcomed and encouraging. I noted that negotiating teams are working hard to finish the Framework Agreement in the near future.”
The
Hagel said that the
“Such an arrangement would benefit both our militaries by increasing our ability to train and operate together. Deepening engagement opportunities between our forces will further support President Aquino’s defense modernization agenda,” the
Hagel said the US has a great deal of experience in building a modern military and his country is willing to share what it learned in the past to its Filipino allies.
The US Defense Chief stressed that he discussed with President Aquino the situation in the South China Sea, an issue which the
The US, he said, supports ASEAN’s efforts to negotiate the South China Sea Code of Conduct, which will help peacefully-manage disagreements and tensions arising from competing territorial and maritime claims.
Hagel encouraged claimant nations to peacefully resolve their disputes to internationally accepted mechanisms in accordance with international law including the Law of the Sea.
He said the
The US Defense Secretary arrived in
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=560628