11 January 2016 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario welcomed the Right Honourable Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, to Manila on 7 January. The visit kicks off the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

In their bilateral meeting, the two Foreign Secretaries discussed a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues affecting both countries. They discussed the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, the Mindanao Peace Process, and ways to promote economic relations, including in the context of the ASEAN Community and the European Union.

Foreign Secretary Hammond reiterated the UK’s call for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. He visited Beijing just before Manila and departed for Tokyo after his Manila visit. END