Philippines, US in talks to resume ‘2-plus-2 meeting’ as relations thaw

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink reassured Philippines that the US would come to its defence. - AFP

MANILA (Reuters): The United States and Philippines on Friday (Jan 20) pledged to hold "2-plus-2" meetings of their top officials after a seven-year halt, underlining moves to restore ties strained by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-US stance.

The two countries held a security dialogue on Friday and agreed to work towards resuming the talks between their diplomatic and defence chiefs, which a Philippine official said could be in the first half of the year, in Washington.