MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hosted Tuesday an informal dinner for US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken saying it is important for the two nations to tackle globally important issues.

“We are all familiar with the situations that you are having to deal with the world and it is extremely encouraging for the Philippines that despite all of these extremely important issues that you have to attend to that you consider the Philippines important enough to take time from all global–globally important issues to come with us in the Philippines here today,”

President Marcos said in his toast remarks during the Palace dinner. “As with many meeting that we have with yourself, of these officials, our meetings always cover a great deal, great regard, wide scope and as again this happened in a quick chat that we just have and this is absolutely necessary. It is important that we continue to do that,” President Marcos stressed.

The President expressed gratitude to Blinken and the members of his delegation, saying such opportunities “remain valuable and important to both our countries.”

Bilateral efforts to sustain and strengthen the PH-US alliance, including increased cooperation on trade and investment and advancing shared democratic values were discussed during Blinken’s courtesy call on President Marcos. They also tackled promoting regional peace and security, defense modernization and economic cooperation. (PND)