US Secretary of State Tillerson due in Manila August 5 for ASEAN meetings

August 2, 2017 - 4:34 PM
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks at a press conference. (Reuters file)

MANILA – United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur August 5 – 9, the US Embassy in Manila said Wednesday.

In Manila, he will participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit Ministerial, the US-ASEAN Ministerial, and the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial. During these meetings, Secretary Tillerson will meet with his counterparts and discuss a range of issues including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maritime security, and counterterrorism, according to a media advisory by spokesperson Heather Nauert.

In Thailand, Tillerson will pay respects to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and engage Thai officials on the enduring US-Thailand partnership and regional issues. In Kuala Lumpur, he will meet officials to discuss strengthening cooperation on a range of issues in the 60th year of US-Malaysia bilateral relations.

Tillerson’s travel reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to further broaden and enhance US economic and security interests in the Asia-Pacific region, said the press announcement.