Rubio to visit Manila for ASEAN, regional security meetings

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Manila from July 19 to 23 to participate in a series of high-level meetings focused on cooperation and security in the Indo-Pacific, the US State Department said.

Rubio is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He will also hold meetings with senior government officials from countries across the Indo-Pacific region, Caliber.Az reports.

State Department spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott said the visit would advance Washington’s goal of promoting a “free and open Indo-Pacific” focused on regional safety, security and prosperity.

Rubio will also seek to highlight the results of US-ASEAN cooperation and strengthen Washington’s comprehensive partnership with the Philippines, Pigott said.

By Sabina Mammadli