MANILA and Tokyo exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and regional developments ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in November, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and “reviewed their close cooperation on energy security, defense, and peace consolidation efforts in Mindanao.”
“They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional resilience through the Luzon Economic Corridor and advancing cooperation on shared priorities,” the PCO said in a statement.
During the 20-minute phone call, Ms. Takaichi noted Japan’s intention to cooperate with the Philippines during the November summit, as well as in co-hosting the Asia Zero Emission Community summit meeting, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a separate statement.
“Amid prolonged instability in the Middle East, it is important for the countries concerned to work together to strengthen economic and energy resilience,” the statement read.
MoFA added the two leaders concurred to continue cooperating for peace and stability in the region. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking