1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:33,982 Philippines is the United States oldest 3 00:00:33,982 --> 00:00:35,704 ally in the Indo Pacific . Our 4 00:00:35,704 --> 00:00:37,704 relationship is based on the shared 5 00:00:37,704 --> 00:00:39,816 interests and values of Americans and 6 00:00:39,816 --> 00:00:41,593 Filipinos including our abiding 7 00:00:41,593 --> 00:00:43,816 commitment to democracy . For decades , 8 00:00:43,816 --> 00:00:46,038 we worked together to promote peace and 9 00:00:46,038 --> 00:00:48,149 stability across the region and we're 10 00:00:48,149 --> 00:00:50,260 growing that effective partnership in 11 00:00:50,260 --> 00:00:52,093 scale and scope every single day 12 00:00:52,093 --> 00:00:54,093 including through very productive , 13 00:00:54,093 --> 00:00:56,959 very rich discussions . Today , our 14 00:00:56,970 --> 00:00:59,299 security alliance is an enduring source 15 00:00:59,310 --> 00:01:01,421 of strength for both of our nations . 16 00:01:01,421 --> 00:01:03,588 Today , we focused on ways to continue 17 00:01:03,588 --> 00:01:05,366 our close partnership under the 18 00:01:05,366 --> 00:01:07,532 enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement 19 00:01:07,532 --> 00:01:09,643 so that our forces can work even more 20 00:01:09,643 --> 00:01:11,866 closely together , including to provide 21 00:01:11,866 --> 00:01:14,032 humanitarian assistance and respond to 22 00:01:14,032 --> 00:01:16,254 disasters . Secretary Austin and I also 23 00:01:16,254 --> 00:01:15,870 reaffirm the United States unwavering 24 00:01:15,879 --> 00:01:17,657 commitment to standing with the 25 00:01:17,657 --> 00:01:19,879 Philippines against any intimidation or 26 00:01:19,879 --> 00:01:22,101 coercion , including in the South China 27 00:01:22,101 --> 00:01:24,212 Sea and to preserving a region that's 28 00:01:24,212 --> 00:01:26,212 governed by international law where 29 00:01:26,212 --> 00:01:28,212 goods and ideas and people can move 30 00:01:28,212 --> 00:01:30,379 freely . We also discuss deepening our 31 00:01:30,379 --> 00:01:32,720 robust economic ties including through 32 00:01:32,730 --> 00:01:34,952 the Indo Pacific economic framework for 33 00:01:34,952 --> 00:01:37,174 prosperity . We're working closely with 34 00:01:37,174 --> 00:01:39,174 other IP partners to build out this 35 00:01:39,174 --> 00:01:41,230 framework to help our economies grow 36 00:01:41,230 --> 00:01:43,119 faster and fairer so that all our 37 00:01:43,119 --> 00:01:45,230 people can reach their full potential 38 00:01:45,230 --> 00:01:47,452 lead on issues shaping the 21st century 39 00:01:47,452 --> 00:01:49,397 economy and do it in a way that is 40 00:01:49,397 --> 00:01:52,209 sustainable for our planet . One way 41 00:01:52,220 --> 00:01:54,164 that we're putting our partnership 42 00:01:54,164 --> 00:01:56,276 through I to work is by collaborating 43 00:01:56,276 --> 00:01:58,442 to increase economic opportunities for 44 00:01:58,442 --> 00:02:00,498 women and girls in the Philippines . 45 00:02:00,498 --> 00:02:00,120 We're providing training and growing 46 00:02:00,129 --> 00:02:01,962 industries like data science and 47 00:02:01,962 --> 00:02:03,962 artificial intelligence where women 48 00:02:03,962 --> 00:02:06,185 have been underrepresented and boosting 49 00:02:06,185 --> 00:02:08,809 digital literacy rates and more broadly 50 00:02:08,820 --> 00:02:11,042 as we discussed today , we're committed 51 00:02:11,042 --> 00:02:13,153 to expanding our economic cooperation 52 00:02:13,153 --> 00:02:14,876 across the board . Indeed , we 53 00:02:14,876 --> 00:02:16,931 discussed a number of areas where we 54 00:02:16,931 --> 00:02:18,542 can deepen our collaboration 55 00:02:18,542 --> 00:02:20,653 cooperation in pursuit of that goal . 56 00:02:20,653 --> 00:02:22,876 Together , we're stepping up to address 57 00:02:22,876 --> 00:02:24,987 global challenges that no country can 58 00:02:24,987 --> 00:02:26,987 solve alone . We discuss our shared 59 00:02:26,987 --> 00:02:29,042 efforts to combat the climate crisis 60 00:02:29,042 --> 00:02:31,098 and strengthen energy security . The 61 00:02:31,098 --> 00:02:33,209 United States is committed to helping 62 00:02:33,209 --> 00:02:35,209 the Philippines reach its ambitious 63 00:02:35,209 --> 00:02:37,209 goal of reducing its greenhouse gas 64 00:02:37,209 --> 00:02:39,869 emissions by 75% by 2030 . To do that . 65 00:02:40,100 --> 00:02:42,156 The US government and critically the 66 00:02:42,156 --> 00:02:44,044 private sector are supporting the 67 00:02:44,044 --> 00:02:46,100 growth of the offshore wind market , 68 00:02:46,100 --> 00:02:48,156 the development of nickel and Cobalt 69 00:02:48,156 --> 00:02:49,822 facilities that will help the 70 00:02:49,822 --> 00:02:51,711 Philippines sustainable process , 71 00:02:51,711 --> 00:02:53,878 sustainably process minerals essential 72 00:02:53,878 --> 00:02:56,044 to the clean energy transition . We're 73 00:02:56,044 --> 00:02:58,267 also providing technical assistance and 74 00:02:58,267 --> 00:03:00,211 regulatory guidance to support the 75 00:03:00,211 --> 00:03:00,210 growth of the Philippines civil Nuclear 76 00:03:00,220 --> 00:03:03,050 Energy Program . We're looking to grow 77 00:03:03,059 --> 00:03:05,520 our cooperation through a 123 agreement 78 00:03:05,529 --> 00:03:07,751 on civil nuclear cooperation which will 79 00:03:07,751 --> 00:03:09,473 make it easier for us to share 80 00:03:09,473 --> 00:03:11,640 technical knowledge as well as nuclear 81 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:13,479 material and equipment . We're 82 00:03:13,490 --> 00:03:15,323 delivering solutions to the food 83 00:03:15,323 --> 00:03:17,212 security challenges impacting the 84 00:03:17,212 --> 00:03:18,934 Philippines like so many other 85 00:03:18,934 --> 00:03:21,157 countries , Philippines based companies 86 00:03:21,157 --> 00:03:23,268 with the support of the United States 87 00:03:23,268 --> 00:03:25,268 government and the American private 88 00:03:25,268 --> 00:03:27,379 sector are making impressive progress 89 00:03:27,379 --> 00:03:27,360 in developing climate smart food 90 00:03:27,369 --> 00:03:29,720 systems , increasing their productivity 91 00:03:29,820 --> 00:03:31,987 and the sustainability of their supply 92 00:03:31,987 --> 00:03:34,153 chains . Looking forward to continuing 93 00:03:34,153 --> 00:03:36,042 this progress at the inaugural us 94 00:03:36,042 --> 00:03:38,209 Philippines Food Security Dialogue . A 95 00:03:38,209 --> 00:03:40,264 little bit later . This year , we're 96 00:03:40,264 --> 00:03:42,487 able to do this work , not only because 97 00:03:42,487 --> 00:03:42,070 of the partnership between our 98 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,191 governments , but also because of the 99 00:03:44,191 --> 00:03:46,358 partnership between our peoples . This 100 00:03:46,358 --> 00:03:48,247 year , we're celebrating the 75th 101 00:03:48,247 --> 00:03:50,413 anniversary of the full program in the 102 00:03:50,413 --> 00:03:52,302 Philippines , the longest running 103 00:03:52,302 --> 00:03:54,413 Fulbright program in the world . More 104 00:03:54,413 --> 00:03:56,580 than 22,000 Filipinos have come to the 105 00:03:56,580 --> 00:03:58,524 United States to the Fulbright and 106 00:03:58,524 --> 00:04:00,691 other us exchange programs , enriching 107 00:04:00,691 --> 00:04:02,913 our communities with their perspectives 108 00:04:02,913 --> 00:04:04,636 and experiences innovating and 109 00:04:04,636 --> 00:04:06,636 launching businesses , building and 110 00:04:06,636 --> 00:04:06,449 drawing bonds between our people . 111 00:04:06,990 --> 00:04:09,500 Bonds that to this day , renew and 112 00:04:09,509 --> 00:04:11,620 revitalize the friendship between our 113 00:04:11,620 --> 00:04:13,842 countries across all of these areas and 114 00:04:13,842 --> 00:04:15,898 more the United States values and is 115 00:04:15,898 --> 00:04:17,787 proud of our robust and deepening 116 00:04:17,787 --> 00:04:19,620 partnership with the Philippines 117 00:04:19,620 --> 00:04:21,787 Secretary Austin and I appreciated the 118 00:04:21,787 --> 00:04:23,787 opportunity to discuss in depth how 119 00:04:23,787 --> 00:04:25,953 we'll make this essential relationship 120 00:04:25,953 --> 00:04:28,065 even stronger in the months and years 121 00:04:28,065 --> 00:04:29,953 ahead . So really grateful to our 122 00:04:29,953 --> 00:04:31,842 colleagues for being here today , 123 00:04:31,842 --> 00:04:34,065 grateful to their teams , the hard work 124 00:04:34,065 --> 00:04:36,120 that's been done but uh not grateful 125 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,176 simply for their presence , but also 126 00:04:38,176 --> 00:04:40,176 the spirit in which together we are 127 00:04:40,176 --> 00:04:42,398 working to strengthen the bonds between 128 00:04:42,398 --> 00:04:44,398 our countries . Ricky over to you . 129 00:04:44,398 --> 00:04:46,565 Thank you very much , Tony , Secretary 130 00:04:46,565 --> 00:04:48,731 of State Antony Blinken , uh Secretary 131 00:04:48,731 --> 00:04:51,299 of Defense , uh Lloyd J Austin , third 132 00:04:51,549 --> 00:04:53,716 senior under secretary in O IC Carlito 133 00:04:54,690 --> 00:04:56,959 Junior , uh friends from the media , 134 00:04:56,970 --> 00:04:59,192 ladies and gentlemen . Good afternoon . 135 00:04:59,192 --> 00:05:00,914 I'm very pleased to be here in 136 00:05:00,914 --> 00:05:02,970 Washington and to address all of you 137 00:05:02,970 --> 00:05:05,192 today , some of you were with Secretary 138 00:05:05,192 --> 00:05:07,359 Blinken when we held our first meeting 139 00:05:07,359 --> 00:05:10,140 uh in our current capacities in Manila 140 00:05:10,149 --> 00:05:12,660 last August , we agreed then to work 141 00:05:12,670 --> 00:05:14,850 together in sustaining the positive 142 00:05:14,859 --> 00:05:16,970 momentum and trajectory of Philippine 143 00:05:16,970 --> 00:05:19,510 Us relations including by a reconvening 144 00:05:19,519 --> 00:05:21,630 our two plus two ministerial dialogue 145 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,880 in 2023 . And I'm happy to report that 146 00:05:24,890 --> 00:05:26,950 we have in fact followed through on 147 00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:28,959 that commitment . Today is only the 148 00:05:28,970 --> 00:05:31,380 third iteration of our dialogue in the 149 00:05:31,390 --> 00:05:33,223 two plus two format since it was 150 00:05:33,223 --> 00:05:35,890 established in 2012 . After a seven 151 00:05:35,899 --> 00:05:37,955 year gap since the second meeting in 152 00:05:37,955 --> 00:05:40,529 2016 . This meeting holds particular 153 00:05:40,540 --> 00:05:42,596 significance as it further reaffirms 154 00:05:42,596 --> 00:05:44,890 our shared commitment to advancing our 155 00:05:44,899 --> 00:05:47,066 common priorities as treaty allies and 156 00:05:47,066 --> 00:05:49,570 close partners amidst evolving regional 157 00:05:49,690 --> 00:05:52,589 and global security challenges . The 158 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,767 joint statement we will issue today in 159 00:05:54,767 --> 00:05:56,433 the various areas it covers , 160 00:05:56,433 --> 00:05:58,544 demonstrates the breadth and depth of 161 00:05:58,544 --> 00:06:00,489 our bilateral relationship . We've 162 00:06:00,489 --> 00:06:02,656 reached a number of key understandings 163 00:06:02,656 --> 00:06:04,600 that the Philippines believes will 164 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:06,544 truly elevate our relationship and 165 00:06:06,544 --> 00:06:08,656 translate into direct substantial and 166 00:06:08,656 --> 00:06:10,767 tangible benefits for our peoples and 167 00:06:10,767 --> 00:06:12,809 countries . At today's meeting , we 168 00:06:12,820 --> 00:06:15,042 redoubled our commitment to modernizing 169 00:06:15,042 --> 00:06:16,653 the Philippine Us Alliance . 170 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:18,811 Recognizing that our partnership will 171 00:06:18,811 --> 00:06:20,859 need to play a stronger role in 172 00:06:20,869 --> 00:06:23,000 preserving an international law based 173 00:06:23,010 --> 00:06:25,290 international order . This means 174 00:06:25,299 --> 00:06:27,790 ensuring the conduct of high level and 175 00:06:27,799 --> 00:06:29,940 high impact high value , joint 176 00:06:29,950 --> 00:06:32,309 exercises , trainings and other related 177 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,660 activities . We especially welcome the 178 00:06:34,670 --> 00:06:37,010 United States pledge to fast track and 179 00:06:37,019 --> 00:06:39,450 ramp up support for the modernization 180 00:06:39,459 --> 00:06:41,404 of our defense , civilian law 181 00:06:41,415 --> 00:06:43,834 enforcement and humanitarian assistance 182 00:06:43,845 --> 00:06:46,765 and disaster response capabilities 183 00:06:46,774 --> 00:06:49,355 especially in the maritime domain , as 184 00:06:49,364 --> 00:06:51,304 well as the implementation of a 185 00:06:51,315 --> 00:06:53,975 projects and investments in and in and 186 00:06:53,984 --> 00:06:57,299 around a agreed locations . I wish to 187 00:06:57,309 --> 00:06:59,476 point out that we also underscored the 188 00:06:59,476 --> 00:07:01,698 importance of equally ensuring that our 189 00:07:01,698 --> 00:07:03,809 modern alliance not only serves as an 190 00:07:03,809 --> 00:07:06,109 instrument of peace , but it shall also 191 00:07:06,119 --> 00:07:08,230 be a force for good that brings about 192 00:07:08,230 --> 00:07:10,397 sustained economic benefits to our two 193 00:07:10,397 --> 00:07:12,730 countries down to our local communities . 194 00:07:13,359 --> 00:07:15,248 Our discussions and proposed ways 195 00:07:15,248 --> 00:07:17,100 forwards are aligned with the 196 00:07:17,109 --> 00:07:19,570 Philippines priorities on agriculture , 197 00:07:19,579 --> 00:07:21,609 food security , promoting energy 198 00:07:21,619 --> 00:07:23,989 security . As we transition to clean 199 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,390 energy , boosting trade and building 200 00:07:26,399 --> 00:07:29,040 resilience of our supply chains as well 201 00:07:29,049 --> 00:07:31,170 as enhancing connectivity and 202 00:07:31,179 --> 00:07:34,019 digitalization . Our discussions focus 203 00:07:34,029 --> 00:07:36,420 also on areas such as economic 204 00:07:36,429 --> 00:07:38,151 cooperation , climate change , 205 00:07:38,151 --> 00:07:40,980 renewable energy , economic resilience , 206 00:07:40,989 --> 00:07:43,190 and economic security . Thank you . 207 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:47,989 Well , good afternoon , Secretary 208 00:07:47,989 --> 00:07:49,720 Lincoln , Secretary Manalo and 209 00:07:49,730 --> 00:07:52,339 Secretary Galvez . I'm honored to be 210 00:07:52,350 --> 00:07:54,989 here with you today for the third us 211 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,920 Philippines two plus two ministerial 212 00:07:57,929 --> 00:07:59,989 dialogue . As you've heard , this is 213 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,470 the first of its kind in seven years . 214 00:08:03,429 --> 00:08:07,390 But first , let me just say a few words 215 00:08:08,079 --> 00:08:10,630 about the story that I know many of you 216 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,890 are tracking . I was first briefed on 217 00:08:13,899 --> 00:08:16,209 the reports of unauthorized disclosure 218 00:08:16,220 --> 00:08:19,380 of sensitive and classified material on 219 00:08:19,390 --> 00:08:22,290 the morning of April 6th . And since 220 00:08:22,299 --> 00:08:24,188 then , I've been convening senior 221 00:08:24,188 --> 00:08:25,966 department leaders daily on our 222 00:08:25,966 --> 00:08:28,630 response and I've directed an urgent 223 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,570 cross department effort and we've 224 00:08:31,579 --> 00:08:33,690 referred the matter to the Department 225 00:08:33,690 --> 00:08:36,520 of Justice which has opened a criminal 226 00:08:36,530 --> 00:08:39,578 investigation . Now , I can't say much 227 00:08:39,588 --> 00:08:41,588 more while the justice department's 228 00:08:41,588 --> 00:08:44,679 investigation is ongoing . But we take 229 00:08:44,690 --> 00:08:47,549 this very seriously and we will 230 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:49,510 continue to work closely with our 231 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:52,640 outstanding allies and partners and 232 00:08:52,650 --> 00:08:55,559 nothing will ever stop us from keeping 233 00:08:55,570 --> 00:08:59,000 America secure . No , 234 00:09:00,010 --> 00:09:02,030 let me turn to today's important 235 00:09:02,039 --> 00:09:05,270 discussions . We've come together at an 236 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,539 historic moment in our alliance for 237 00:09:08,549 --> 00:09:10,809 more than seven decades . Us and 238 00:09:10,820 --> 00:09:13,609 Philippine forces have trained and 239 00:09:13,619 --> 00:09:16,809 fought alongside each other and today 240 00:09:16,820 --> 00:09:19,280 we're building on those bonds to bring 241 00:09:19,289 --> 00:09:22,989 greater security , stability and 242 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:26,229 prosperity to the Indo Pacific for the 243 00:09:26,239 --> 00:09:29,179 next 70 years and beyond 244 00:09:30,210 --> 00:09:32,432 the commitments that we made today will 245 00:09:32,432 --> 00:09:35,650 spur even deeper cooperation to help 246 00:09:35,659 --> 00:09:38,760 ensure that we are poised to tackle the 247 00:09:38,770 --> 00:09:40,929 defining challenges of our time 248 00:09:42,119 --> 00:09:45,489 together . We all reaffirm today that 249 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:48,280 our mutual defense treaty remains the 250 00:09:48,289 --> 00:09:52,000 bedrock of our cooperation . Secretary 251 00:09:52,010 --> 00:09:54,179 Lincoln and I have said clearly and 252 00:09:54,190 --> 00:09:57,559 repeatedly , the mutual defense treaty 253 00:09:57,570 --> 00:10:01,059 applies to armed attacks on either of 254 00:10:01,070 --> 00:10:05,070 our armed forces , aircraft or 255 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,270 public vessels including our coast 256 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:12,059 guard anywhere in the South China Sea . 257 00:10:13,429 --> 00:10:15,429 And so today , we built on our work 258 00:10:15,429 --> 00:10:18,000 together during my recent visit to 259 00:10:18,010 --> 00:10:21,150 Manila and discuss plans to 260 00:10:21,159 --> 00:10:23,789 operationalize the four new enhanced 261 00:10:23,799 --> 00:10:27,309 defense cooperation agreement locations 262 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,150 in Palawan and Northern Luzon . 263 00:10:31,219 --> 00:10:33,270 These sites will support combined 264 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,539 training exercises and interoperability 265 00:10:36,549 --> 00:10:39,179 between our forces to ensure that we're 266 00:10:39,190 --> 00:10:42,390 even better prepared for future crises . 267 00:10:43,619 --> 00:10:45,675 We're proud of the investments we're 268 00:10:45,675 --> 00:10:48,719 making . And by the end of F Y 23 we 269 00:10:48,729 --> 00:10:51,590 expect to have allocated more than $100 270 00:10:51,599 --> 00:10:54,909 million in infrastructure investments 271 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,799 at the new and existing sites . 272 00:10:59,729 --> 00:11:01,896 And so those investments will spur job 273 00:11:01,896 --> 00:11:04,690 creation and economic growth in local 274 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:08,270 Philippine communities . We've also 275 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,520 committed to swiftly finalizing the US , 276 00:11:11,770 --> 00:11:14,059 the US . Philippines bilateral defense 277 00:11:14,070 --> 00:11:17,239 guidelines which charts our vision for 278 00:11:17,250 --> 00:11:19,880 alliance cooperation across all 279 00:11:19,890 --> 00:11:22,390 operational domains including space and 280 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:26,270 cyberspace in the face of coercion 281 00:11:26,429 --> 00:11:29,820 and Gray zone aggression , Secretary 282 00:11:29,830 --> 00:11:32,609 Galvez and I agree to redouble our 283 00:11:32,619 --> 00:11:34,619 efforts to strengthen our combined 284 00:11:34,630 --> 00:11:37,960 ability to resist armed attack by 285 00:11:37,969 --> 00:11:40,380 modernizing our armed forces . 286 00:11:41,929 --> 00:11:43,985 We also discussed near term plans to 287 00:11:43,985 --> 00:11:47,950 complete a security sector assistance 288 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,450 road map to support the delivery of 289 00:11:50,460 --> 00:11:52,950 priority defense platforms over the 290 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,830 next 5 to 10 years including 291 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,419 radars , unmanned aerial systems , and 292 00:11:59,429 --> 00:12:01,979 military transport , aircraft and 293 00:12:01,989 --> 00:12:05,619 coastal and air defense systems . We're 294 00:12:05,630 --> 00:12:09,059 building on the some 500 defense 295 00:12:09,070 --> 00:12:11,292 engagements that our militaries conduct 296 00:12:11,292 --> 00:12:14,530 each year and we're forging new ties 297 00:12:14,539 --> 00:12:17,179 between our militaries and expanding 298 00:12:17,190 --> 00:12:19,023 the breadth of our cooperation . 299 00:12:20,510 --> 00:12:23,729 Yesterday , we celebrated the start of 300 00:12:23,739 --> 00:12:27,010 our 38 th annual exercise Balaton , 301 00:12:28,340 --> 00:12:30,510 more than 17,000 troops are 302 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,979 participating this year . It is the 303 00:12:32,989 --> 00:12:35,549 largest and most complex iteration in 304 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:39,190 the exercises history . Now , the 305 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,239 commitments that we made today will 306 00:12:41,250 --> 00:12:43,417 further integrate our strong bilateral 307 00:12:43,417 --> 00:12:46,390 ties into multilateral networks , 308 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,510 including with Japan and Australia . 309 00:12:50,599 --> 00:12:52,488 And we discussed plans to conduct 310 00:12:52,488 --> 00:12:55,150 combined maritime activities with like 311 00:12:55,159 --> 00:12:57,340 minded partners in the South China Sea 312 00:12:57,349 --> 00:13:00,419 later this year . As we work to enhance 313 00:13:00,429 --> 00:13:03,469 our collective deterrence . Our 314 00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:06,099 alliance is ultimately guided by our 315 00:13:06,109 --> 00:13:08,479 deep and enduring commitment to freedom . 316 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,619 So we're not just allies , we're 317 00:13:12,630 --> 00:13:16,359 democratic allies and the United States 318 00:13:16,369 --> 00:13:18,313 and the Philippines are bound by a 319 00:13:18,313 --> 00:13:21,919 common vision for the future . A 320 00:13:21,929 --> 00:13:24,096 vision that is anchored in the rule of 321 00:13:24,096 --> 00:13:27,500 law and freedom of the seas in 322 00:13:27,510 --> 00:13:30,200 respect for the territorial integrity 323 00:13:30,570 --> 00:13:33,640 of sovereign states . And Secretary 324 00:13:33,650 --> 00:13:37,030 Galvez , Secretary Manalo , Secretary 325 00:13:37,039 --> 00:13:39,289 Blinken , thank you for your leadership 326 00:13:39,750 --> 00:13:42,809 and your steadfast partnership as we 327 00:13:42,820 --> 00:13:46,039 build this future together . Secretary 328 00:13:46,049 --> 00:13:48,049 Galvez , the floor is yours , sir . 329 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:52,830 Yeah , foremost . My highest court is 330 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,520 to the Secretary Anthony J Lincoln and 331 00:13:56,530 --> 00:13:59,849 Secretary Lloyd Austin to my most 332 00:13:59,859 --> 00:14:02,750 esteemed colleague , Secretary Enrique 333 00:14:02,820 --> 00:14:05,780 Manalo , ladies and gentlemen . Good 334 00:14:05,789 --> 00:14:08,219 afternoon . First of all , we would 335 00:14:08,229 --> 00:14:10,979 like to take this moment to express our 336 00:14:10,989 --> 00:14:14,450 prop thanks to the US . 337 00:14:15,049 --> 00:14:17,105 We are grateful to the US government 338 00:14:17,250 --> 00:14:19,489 and the American people for their kind 339 00:14:19,500 --> 00:14:21,722 assistance in our current environmental 340 00:14:21,722 --> 00:14:23,809 sea disaster in containing the oil 341 00:14:23,820 --> 00:14:27,460 spill in Oriental . Upon our 342 00:14:27,469 --> 00:14:30,080 request for assistance , the Secretary 343 00:14:30,090 --> 00:14:33,090 of Defense , the US Embassy and the US 344 00:14:33,099 --> 00:14:35,489 Navy manifested their unwavering 345 00:14:35,500 --> 00:14:38,109 support to the its deployment of the 346 00:14:38,119 --> 00:14:41,530 remotely operated vehicle or R O V 347 00:14:41,950 --> 00:14:43,783 as well as the technical support 348 00:14:43,783 --> 00:14:46,150 provided by the US Coast Guard and the 349 00:14:46,159 --> 00:14:48,570 US National Oceanic and Prosper 350 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,869 Administration or no to help contain an 351 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,500 oil spill . The timely and efficient 352 00:14:54,510 --> 00:14:57,849 response of our allies in providing the 353 00:14:57,859 --> 00:14:59,581 technical and material support 354 00:14:59,630 --> 00:15:03,159 amounting to more than $20 million 355 00:15:03,409 --> 00:15:05,929 was very instrumental in mitigating the 356 00:15:05,940 --> 00:15:09,090 impact of this environmental disaster 357 00:15:09,330 --> 00:15:11,330 on our coastal communities that may 358 00:15:11,330 --> 00:15:13,386 affect millions of Filipino people . 359 00:15:14,169 --> 00:15:16,225 The aid and cooperation demonstrates 360 00:15:16,225 --> 00:15:18,113 the strength of the Philippine Us 361 00:15:18,113 --> 00:15:20,830 Defense Alliance and we are very proud 362 00:15:21,179 --> 00:15:23,235 to be a partner of the United States 363 00:15:23,409 --> 00:15:26,070 and your commitment to assisting us in 364 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:29,429 this time of need has to the band of 365 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:32,650 friendship and mutual trust between our 366 00:15:32,659 --> 00:15:35,729 nations . We will not forget 367 00:15:36,909 --> 00:15:39,131 as the vaccines are , I would like also 368 00:15:39,131 --> 00:15:41,559 to like to reiterate our appreciation 369 00:15:41,710 --> 00:15:44,679 for the 3.6 million vaccine doses 370 00:15:44,690 --> 00:15:47,340 donated by the US government to the 371 00:15:47,349 --> 00:15:50,599 Philippines would save millions of 372 00:15:50,609 --> 00:15:53,349 Filipino lives and help our economy to 373 00:15:53,359 --> 00:15:56,880 recover . Today , we have just 374 00:15:56,890 --> 00:15:58,890 concluded the third two plus two 375 00:15:58,900 --> 00:16:00,678 ministerial meeting between the 376 00:16:00,678 --> 00:16:03,059 Philippines and the United States and I 377 00:16:03,070 --> 00:16:06,000 am pleased to announce that it had been 378 00:16:06,020 --> 00:16:08,169 a most productive meeting which 379 00:16:08,179 --> 00:16:11,080 expanded to even to economic security . 380 00:16:12,390 --> 00:16:14,223 The last time , the two plus two 381 00:16:14,223 --> 00:16:16,390 ministerial consultation were convened 382 00:16:16,460 --> 00:16:19,659 when it's in January 2016 . The fact 383 00:16:19,669 --> 00:16:22,109 that we are able to convene once again 384 00:16:22,900 --> 00:16:25,299 highlights the continued importance and 385 00:16:25,309 --> 00:16:27,799 relevance of our partnership and the 386 00:16:27,809 --> 00:16:29,719 need for continued dialogue and 387 00:16:29,729 --> 00:16:31,562 cooperation on matters of mutual 388 00:16:31,562 --> 00:16:34,409 interest . It is also noteworthy that 389 00:16:34,419 --> 00:16:37,140 this is the first time the meeting will 390 00:16:37,150 --> 00:16:38,761 be convened under the Marcos 391 00:16:38,761 --> 00:16:41,380 administration which highlights the 392 00:16:41,390 --> 00:16:43,501 Philippine government's commitment to 393 00:16:43,501 --> 00:16:45,501 strengthening our alliance with the 394 00:16:45,501 --> 00:16:48,830 United States . Our meeting today will 395 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:51,580 set the direction that we would like to 396 00:16:51,590 --> 00:16:53,701 be the Philippine Us alliance to take 397 00:16:54,010 --> 00:16:56,280 in consideration of our present day 398 00:16:56,289 --> 00:16:58,599 realities and common security 399 00:16:58,609 --> 00:17:02,390 challenges along this line . I wish to 400 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,122 emphasize the strength and the 401 00:17:04,122 --> 00:17:05,956 credibility of the Philippine Us 402 00:17:05,956 --> 00:17:08,650 Defense Alliance , which is founded on 403 00:17:08,660 --> 00:17:12,420 a shared commitment to regional peace , 404 00:17:12,430 --> 00:17:15,239 stability and security . Our 405 00:17:15,249 --> 00:17:17,548 partnership has weathered many 406 00:17:17,558 --> 00:17:19,999 challenges in the past and continues to 407 00:17:20,009 --> 00:17:23,410 stand strong today . We reaffirm our 408 00:17:23,420 --> 00:17:26,319 commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty 409 00:17:26,329 --> 00:17:28,489 which is our cornerstone of our 410 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:32,050 partnership . Our 411 00:17:32,060 --> 00:17:34,116 defense establishment recognized the 412 00:17:34,116 --> 00:17:36,849 need to work together to enhance our 413 00:17:36,859 --> 00:17:39,589 interoperability , increase our defense 414 00:17:39,599 --> 00:17:41,670 capacity and build our resilience 415 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,890 against emerging challenges to this end . 416 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,359 We agreed to explore new areas of 417 00:17:47,369 --> 00:17:50,339 cooperation and deepen our existing 418 00:17:50,349 --> 00:17:54,050 partnership in key areas such as mutual 419 00:17:54,060 --> 00:17:56,989 defense , maritime security and 420 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,939 information , intelligence sharing and 421 00:17:59,949 --> 00:18:02,680 joint sales and solidary solidary 422 00:18:02,689 --> 00:18:06,209 patrols . We also welcome the ongoing 423 00:18:06,219 --> 00:18:08,390 conduct of the biggest ever exercise , 424 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:12,290 Malian which involve 70,000 forces , 425 00:18:12,339 --> 00:18:16,329 12,000 us personnel , 5000 P personnel 426 00:18:16,339 --> 00:18:19,520 and 111 Australian Defense Forces and 427 00:18:19,530 --> 00:18:21,530 observers from other like minded 428 00:18:21,540 --> 00:18:25,439 countries which states our armed forces 429 00:18:25,449 --> 00:18:28,530 to train and operate together improve 430 00:18:28,540 --> 00:18:32,089 inter inter and enhance our respective 431 00:18:32,099 --> 00:18:35,790 capabilities . With the announcement of 432 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,569 the four additional sites where 433 00:18:38,579 --> 00:18:40,857 enhanced defense cooperation agreement , 434 00:18:40,857 --> 00:18:44,209 agreed locations can be developed and 435 00:18:44,219 --> 00:18:46,310 we reaffirm our commitment to work 436 00:18:46,319 --> 00:18:49,300 together in implementing through the 437 00:18:49,310 --> 00:18:51,349 completion of both existing and 438 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:54,719 potential projects . Lastly , we 439 00:18:54,729 --> 00:18:56,562 discuss opportunities for future 440 00:18:56,562 --> 00:18:59,359 cooperation with like minded partners 441 00:18:59,369 --> 00:19:02,839 in the region . We recognize that we 442 00:19:02,849 --> 00:19:05,020 cannot address such a wide range of 443 00:19:05,030 --> 00:19:08,150 security challenges and that we , we 444 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:10,650 need to work with other countries to 445 00:19:10,660 --> 00:19:12,790 share our interest in accordance with 446 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:14,633 our respective national laws and 447 00:19:14,633 --> 00:19:18,079 policies . We reaffirm the commitment 448 00:19:18,089 --> 00:19:20,250 to sustain regular exchanges through 449 00:19:20,260 --> 00:19:22,339 existing platforms , namely the two 450 00:19:22,349 --> 00:19:25,060 plus two ministerial consultations , 451 00:19:25,670 --> 00:19:28,410 bila bilateral strategic dialogue , the 452 00:19:28,420 --> 00:19:30,087 Mutual Defense Board Security 453 00:19:30,087 --> 00:19:32,530 Engagement Board and among others , a 454 00:19:32,550 --> 00:19:35,660 conclusion , I want to emphasize that 455 00:19:35,670 --> 00:19:37,781 the Philippine Us Defense Alliance is 456 00:19:37,781 --> 00:19:40,339 strong and credible and we are 457 00:19:40,349 --> 00:19:43,020 committed to modernizing our alliance 458 00:19:43,030 --> 00:19:44,697 to meet the evolving security 459 00:19:44,697 --> 00:19:47,290 challenges of the region . This 460 00:19:47,300 --> 00:19:51,050 alliance is for peace and stability of 461 00:19:51,060 --> 00:19:53,209 the Indo Pacific region . Thank you . 462 00:19:54,829 --> 00:19:56,773 Thanks everyone . We'll take three 463 00:19:56,773 --> 00:19:58,940 questions first . We'll go to Dmitry , 464 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:01,051 Sevastopol with the financial Times . 465 00:20:04,650 --> 00:20:06,650 Thank you . Good afternoon . I have 466 00:20:06,650 --> 00:20:09,380 questions for both sides . Secretary 467 00:20:09,390 --> 00:20:11,390 Austin . Can you give us a sense of 468 00:20:11,390 --> 00:20:13,334 what kinds and numbers of military 469 00:20:13,334 --> 00:20:15,557 assets and personnel that you intend to 470 00:20:15,557 --> 00:20:18,290 position or rotate through the sites in 471 00:20:18,300 --> 00:20:20,411 the Philippines ? And can you explain 472 00:20:20,411 --> 00:20:22,411 how specifically does this enhanced 473 00:20:22,411 --> 00:20:24,467 cooperation increase your ability to 474 00:20:24,467 --> 00:20:26,633 prepare for any possible conflict with 475 00:20:26,633 --> 00:20:29,579 China over Taiwan and to secretaries , 476 00:20:29,589 --> 00:20:31,859 Manalo and Galvez . How will the sites 477 00:20:31,869 --> 00:20:34,380 be used if the US and China go to war 478 00:20:34,390 --> 00:20:36,390 over Taiwan ? And will there be any 479 00:20:36,390 --> 00:20:38,680 restrictions on what the US military 480 00:20:38,689 --> 00:20:40,890 can do with the sites ? And finally , 481 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:43,122 Secretary Blinken , this China question 482 00:20:43,550 --> 00:20:45,717 your relations with China appear to be 483 00:20:45,717 --> 00:20:47,772 deteriorating continuously with only 484 00:20:47,772 --> 00:20:50,106 sporadic signs of positive developments . 485 00:20:50,106 --> 00:20:52,050 Is this the long term future of us 486 00:20:52,050 --> 00:20:54,161 relations with China or is there some 487 00:20:54,161 --> 00:20:56,328 kind of a realistic way to turn things 488 00:20:56,328 --> 00:20:58,494 around and when do you expect to go to 489 00:20:58,494 --> 00:21:00,717 Beijing ? Thank you . Well , thanks for 490 00:21:00,717 --> 00:21:04,459 your question . Dmitry is a key 491 00:21:04,469 --> 00:21:08,209 pillar to our alliance . 492 00:21:08,579 --> 00:21:12,189 It provides us the opportunity to train 493 00:21:12,199 --> 00:21:15,089 together to 494 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,000 increase interoperability . And you 495 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,170 know , Dmitri interoperability is not 496 00:21:20,180 --> 00:21:22,291 something that you can show up at the 497 00:21:22,291 --> 00:21:24,402 last moment and snap your fingers and 498 00:21:24,402 --> 00:21:26,513 achieve . It's something that you got 499 00:21:26,513 --> 00:21:28,939 to work on each and every day . And so 500 00:21:28,949 --> 00:21:32,729 the addition of these sites puts us 501 00:21:32,739 --> 00:21:35,650 in a position to be able to not only 502 00:21:35,660 --> 00:21:38,959 train together but also respond to meet 503 00:21:38,969 --> 00:21:41,800 the needs of the Philippines in the 504 00:21:41,810 --> 00:21:43,643 event of a crisis like a natural 505 00:21:43,643 --> 00:21:47,479 disaster or a requirement to rapidly 506 00:21:47,489 --> 00:21:50,300 provide humanitarian assistance . And 507 00:21:50,310 --> 00:21:53,479 so I think it helps us not only work 508 00:21:53,489 --> 00:21:55,910 together , but it helps us address the 509 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,349 needs of the Philippines as well . And 510 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:01,199 I , I think it's , it's essential to 511 00:22:03,079 --> 00:22:05,979 our ability to strengthen our combined 512 00:22:05,989 --> 00:22:08,211 deterrence posture . I think it's a bit 513 00:22:08,211 --> 00:22:10,930 early to try to discuss uh numbers and 514 00:22:10,939 --> 00:22:14,910 specific timing of rotations . But 515 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,698 certainly these are things that 516 00:22:17,199 --> 00:22:20,839 Secretary Galvez and I will continue to 517 00:22:20,849 --> 00:22:24,750 work on going forward . But again , it 518 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,699 is a tremendous opportunity . I would 519 00:22:27,709 --> 00:22:31,510 finally emphasize that whatever we 520 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:33,242 do in the future , in terms of 521 00:22:33,242 --> 00:22:36,609 rotations and numbers of troops , it is 522 00:22:36,619 --> 00:22:38,640 a joint decision between the 523 00:22:38,650 --> 00:22:40,680 Philippines and the Philippine 524 00:22:40,689 --> 00:22:43,400 government and the US government . So 525 00:22:43,410 --> 00:22:45,579 again , a great opportunity , I'm 526 00:22:45,589 --> 00:22:47,800 excited about the ability to increase 527 00:22:47,810 --> 00:22:50,359 the interoperability and look forward 528 00:22:50,369 --> 00:22:52,591 to continuing our great work together . 529 00:22:56,229 --> 00:22:58,285 Oh , thank you very much for your uh 530 00:22:58,469 --> 00:23:00,770 your question . Um What I can say at 531 00:23:00,780 --> 00:23:03,750 this stage is that the uh the new sites 532 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:05,900 that have been identified , the new 533 00:23:06,089 --> 00:23:09,319 sites are mainly aimed at 534 00:23:09,329 --> 00:23:10,880 increasing or improving 535 00:23:10,890 --> 00:23:13,640 interoperability as well as addressing 536 00:23:13,869 --> 00:23:16,670 potential human humanitarian disasters 537 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:19,420 or climate related disasters . 538 00:23:20,849 --> 00:23:24,060 And in , in , in uh operational these 539 00:23:24,069 --> 00:23:26,291 sites . Of course , much work still has 540 00:23:26,291 --> 00:23:28,347 to be done . We have to identify the 541 00:23:28,347 --> 00:23:30,069 terms and references how these 542 00:23:30,069 --> 00:23:32,125 activities will be undertaken . So I 543 00:23:32,125 --> 00:23:34,236 don't think we're really at any stage 544 00:23:34,236 --> 00:23:36,402 yet to answer how they might be used . 545 00:23:36,402 --> 00:23:38,569 They're still open to discussion . But 546 00:23:38,569 --> 00:23:40,513 I think we have already reached an 547 00:23:40,513 --> 00:23:42,291 understanding that the basic uh 548 00:23:42,291 --> 00:23:44,513 elements of of these sites would be the 549 00:23:44,513 --> 00:23:46,680 basic purposes of these sites would be 550 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:48,513 to address humanitarian disaster 551 00:23:48,513 --> 00:23:52,420 related uh events to increase and 552 00:23:52,430 --> 00:23:54,989 improve interoperability and training 553 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,510 of Filipino and American assets . And 554 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:00,910 also to be in a position to improve 555 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:04,109 interoperability and perhaps respond to 556 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:06,175 other types of security challenges , 557 00:24:09,410 --> 00:24:11,829 Dmitry with regard to , to China . 558 00:24:11,839 --> 00:24:14,260 You've heard me say before , Secretary 559 00:24:14,270 --> 00:24:16,381 Austin and others say before that the 560 00:24:16,381 --> 00:24:18,492 relationship between our countries is 561 00:24:18,492 --> 00:24:20,603 among the most consequential and also 562 00:24:20,603 --> 00:24:22,770 the most complex of any that we have . 563 00:24:22,770 --> 00:24:25,103 And the same could probably be said for , 564 00:24:25,103 --> 00:24:28,329 for many other countries , we are , 565 00:24:28,339 --> 00:24:30,561 we're not reducing it to uh to a bumper 566 00:24:30,561 --> 00:24:32,783 sticker . As again , I've said before , 567 00:24:32,839 --> 00:24:35,199 it has different aspects to it , 568 00:24:35,209 --> 00:24:38,369 certainly competitive , uh 569 00:24:38,910 --> 00:24:42,020 cooperative in other respects and in 570 00:24:42,030 --> 00:24:45,609 some instances , more adversarial what 571 00:24:45,729 --> 00:24:48,119 we've been working to do , first of all 572 00:24:48,130 --> 00:24:50,241 is to make sure that when it comes to 573 00:24:50,241 --> 00:24:52,241 our own strategy and own approach , 574 00:24:52,241 --> 00:24:54,408 we're following through on it , making 575 00:24:54,408 --> 00:24:56,241 investments in ourselves and our 576 00:24:56,241 --> 00:24:58,186 strength at home , we've done that 577 00:24:58,186 --> 00:25:00,186 aligning increasingly with partners 578 00:25:00,186 --> 00:25:02,241 around the world , whether that's in 579 00:25:02,241 --> 00:25:04,352 Europe and Asia . And we've done that 580 00:25:04,352 --> 00:25:04,140 with greater conversions than I've seen 581 00:25:04,670 --> 00:25:06,770 at any time with key partners on the 582 00:25:06,780 --> 00:25:08,724 approach to some of the challenges 583 00:25:08,724 --> 00:25:11,640 posed by China and putting those assets 584 00:25:11,650 --> 00:25:14,650 together so that we're competing very 585 00:25:14,660 --> 00:25:16,882 vigorously in upholding our interests , 586 00:25:16,882 --> 00:25:19,219 upholding our values and building our 587 00:25:19,229 --> 00:25:21,609 vision for the future . 588 00:25:23,150 --> 00:25:25,261 What I hear from countries around the 589 00:25:25,261 --> 00:25:27,428 world and what I believe is profoundly 590 00:25:27,428 --> 00:25:29,650 in our interest is for us to manage the 591 00:25:29,650 --> 00:25:31,761 relationship with China responsibly . 592 00:25:31,761 --> 00:25:34,880 And our goal is peace , 593 00:25:35,109 --> 00:25:38,280 security , stability , creating 594 00:25:38,290 --> 00:25:41,459 opportunity . It's not to engage in a 595 00:25:41,469 --> 00:25:43,413 new Cold War , it's not to contain 596 00:25:43,413 --> 00:25:46,479 China , but in doing that in trying to 597 00:25:46,489 --> 00:25:48,859 advance a world that is peaceful , 598 00:25:48,869 --> 00:25:50,979 secure , stable and with more 599 00:25:50,989 --> 00:25:53,100 opportunity , we're going to stand up 600 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:54,989 very vigorously for our , for our 601 00:25:54,989 --> 00:25:57,045 values and our interests . And we're 602 00:25:57,045 --> 00:25:59,267 doing that with regard to China . We're 603 00:25:59,267 --> 00:26:01,267 also prepared to work cooperatively 604 00:26:01,267 --> 00:26:03,378 with China where it's in our interest 605 00:26:03,378 --> 00:26:05,433 in their interest . And I believe in 606 00:26:05,433 --> 00:26:05,180 the interest of the world . And there 607 00:26:05,189 --> 00:26:07,356 are a number of issues that we've laid 608 00:26:07,356 --> 00:26:09,411 out transnational challenges that no 609 00:26:09,411 --> 00:26:11,467 one country can solve alone where it 610 00:26:11,467 --> 00:26:13,689 would benefit all of us and benefit the 611 00:26:13,689 --> 00:26:15,578 world for us to find ways to work 612 00:26:15,578 --> 00:26:17,689 together through all of this . It's I 613 00:26:17,689 --> 00:26:19,856 believe important to maintain channels 614 00:26:19,856 --> 00:26:21,800 of communication to make sure that 615 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:23,967 we're speaking to each other clearly . 616 00:26:23,967 --> 00:26:25,967 And we've certainly continued to do 617 00:26:25,967 --> 00:26:28,920 that even through what's been a 618 00:26:28,979 --> 00:26:31,469 challenging period in our relationship . 619 00:26:31,479 --> 00:26:34,359 I think as our two presidents agreed 620 00:26:34,369 --> 00:26:36,369 when they met in Bali at the end of 621 00:26:36,369 --> 00:26:38,369 last year , at the , at the G 20 it 622 00:26:38,369 --> 00:26:40,536 would be important to continue to find 623 00:26:40,536 --> 00:26:42,591 ways to strengthen those channels of 624 00:26:42,591 --> 00:26:44,758 communication . So we'll see we'd look 625 00:26:44,758 --> 00:26:46,969 to do that uh in the time ahead and 626 00:26:46,979 --> 00:26:50,319 when it comes to my own visit to , to 627 00:26:50,329 --> 00:26:52,551 China , when the conditions are right . 628 00:26:52,551 --> 00:26:54,773 I'll certainly look forward to pursuing 629 00:26:54,773 --> 00:26:56,996 that . We'll next go to Andrea Mitchell 630 00:26:56,996 --> 00:27:00,349 of NBC News , right ? 631 00:27:03,349 --> 00:27:05,293 Thank you very much . Uh Secretary 632 00:27:05,293 --> 00:27:07,770 Austin . You just said that you first 633 00:27:07,780 --> 00:27:10,270 learned about the leaked documents on 634 00:27:10,500 --> 00:27:13,819 the sixth of April . Um They've been 635 00:27:13,829 --> 00:27:17,209 online for months . Why didn't us 636 00:27:17,219 --> 00:27:19,140 intelligence , the rest of us 637 00:27:19,150 --> 00:27:22,140 government see that those leaked 638 00:27:22,150 --> 00:27:24,939 documents online for all those months . 639 00:27:25,140 --> 00:27:27,920 Is that an intelligence failure ? And 640 00:27:27,930 --> 00:27:30,380 I'd like to ask Secretary Blinken that , 641 00:27:30,390 --> 00:27:33,339 that same issue as well as uh your 642 00:27:33,349 --> 00:27:36,229 conversations with Foreign Minister of 643 00:27:36,239 --> 00:27:39,800 Ukraine . We have seen 644 00:27:39,810 --> 00:27:42,319 documents that indicate that Ukraine 645 00:27:42,449 --> 00:27:45,569 has crossed with Ukrainian agents 646 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,140 working for the government have 647 00:27:50,339 --> 00:27:53,589 launched drone attacks in Russia and in 648 00:27:53,599 --> 00:27:56,729 Belarus , contrary to commitments that 649 00:27:56,739 --> 00:27:58,849 they would not do that . Are you 650 00:27:58,859 --> 00:28:01,079 concerned that this would , will 651 00:28:01,089 --> 00:28:03,439 undermine Western support for Ukraine ? 652 00:28:04,339 --> 00:28:06,839 And can you talk about the overall 653 00:28:06,849 --> 00:28:10,380 damage that these leaks have caused 654 00:28:11,709 --> 00:28:15,250 to our reputation for handling 655 00:28:15,599 --> 00:28:17,766 intelligence with our closest allies ? 656 00:28:17,890 --> 00:28:20,001 And Mr Foreign Minister , do you have 657 00:28:20,001 --> 00:28:22,219 concerns about sharing intelligence 658 00:28:22,479 --> 00:28:24,770 with the United States ? Given the fact 659 00:28:24,780 --> 00:28:27,140 that these leaked documents were online 660 00:28:27,500 --> 00:28:31,400 for so many months ? Uh Thanks 661 00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:34,849 Andrea . Uh the documents that uh that 662 00:28:34,859 --> 00:28:37,660 we are aware of are dated the 28 of 663 00:28:37,670 --> 00:28:40,109 February and the first of March . 664 00:28:42,069 --> 00:28:44,219 I don't know if there are other 665 00:28:44,229 --> 00:28:47,380 documents that have been online before . 666 00:28:47,390 --> 00:28:49,500 These are things that we will find , 667 00:28:49,689 --> 00:28:52,449 find out as we continue to investigate . 668 00:28:52,709 --> 00:28:55,189 But the documents that we are focused 669 00:28:55,199 --> 00:28:58,310 on thus far 28 of February and the 670 00:28:58,319 --> 00:29:00,910 first of March , again , we will 671 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,239 continue to investigate and try to 672 00:29:03,250 --> 00:29:05,829 determine the full scope of the 673 00:29:05,839 --> 00:29:09,709 activity , you know about it 674 00:29:09,910 --> 00:29:13,199 before . That means that they were up 675 00:29:13,209 --> 00:29:14,209 to at least . 676 00:29:18,859 --> 00:29:22,770 Yeah . Well , there were somewhere 677 00:29:22,780 --> 00:29:26,680 in the web and where exactly and who 678 00:29:26,689 --> 00:29:29,709 had access at that point . We don't 679 00:29:29,719 --> 00:29:31,719 know , we simply don't know at this 680 00:29:31,719 --> 00:29:34,609 point . So again , I won't speculate 681 00:29:34,619 --> 00:29:37,050 Andrea , I will tell you that we take 682 00:29:37,060 --> 00:29:39,300 this very seriously and we will 683 00:29:39,310 --> 00:29:41,729 continue to investigate and turn over 684 00:29:41,739 --> 00:29:44,030 every rock until we find the source of 685 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:47,219 this and the extent of it . Ok . 686 00:29:48,439 --> 00:29:50,439 And I don't have much to add beyond 687 00:29:50,439 --> 00:29:52,550 what the secretary said . Let me just 688 00:29:52,550 --> 00:29:54,661 say with regard to broadly allies and 689 00:29:54,661 --> 00:29:56,930 partners and these documents , we have 690 00:29:56,939 --> 00:29:58,939 engaged with allies and partners at 691 00:29:58,939 --> 00:30:01,849 high levels over the past the past days , 692 00:30:02,140 --> 00:30:05,319 including to reassure them about our 693 00:30:05,329 --> 00:30:07,273 own commitment to safeguarding our 694 00:30:07,273 --> 00:30:09,218 intelligence . And of course , our 695 00:30:09,218 --> 00:30:11,869 commitment to our security partnerships 696 00:30:13,140 --> 00:30:16,430 with regard to Ukraine itself . I did 697 00:30:16,439 --> 00:30:19,859 speak to Foreign Minister today and in 698 00:30:19,869 --> 00:30:22,036 speaking to him among other things , I 699 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:24,510 reaffirmed our enduring support for 700 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:27,189 Ukraine and for its efforts to defend 701 00:30:27,199 --> 00:30:28,977 its territorial integrity , its 702 00:30:28,977 --> 00:30:30,810 sovereignty , its independence . 703 00:30:30,810 --> 00:30:33,030 Reaffirmed the extraordinary support 704 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,520 that we have provided to Ukraine along 705 00:30:35,530 --> 00:30:37,752 with dozens of other countries over the 706 00:30:37,752 --> 00:30:40,560 last year . To help it defend itself . 707 00:30:40,689 --> 00:30:43,589 Support that will be ongoing . Indeed , 708 00:30:43,599 --> 00:30:45,655 as you've seen just as recently this 709 00:30:45,655 --> 00:30:47,599 week , additional support that was 710 00:30:47,599 --> 00:30:49,766 provided , I'm not going to comment on 711 00:30:49,766 --> 00:30:52,290 specific actions that Ukraine takes 712 00:30:52,300 --> 00:30:54,760 when it comes to defending its 713 00:30:54,839 --> 00:30:57,172 sovereignty , its territorial integrity . 714 00:30:57,172 --> 00:31:00,900 But we are determined to assist 715 00:31:00,910 --> 00:31:03,489 Ukraine in the efforts that it's making 716 00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:05,500 to regain the territory that's been 717 00:31:05,500 --> 00:31:07,556 seized from it . And I reaffirm that 718 00:31:07,556 --> 00:31:09,778 commitment today in speaking to Foreign 719 00:31:09,778 --> 00:31:13,729 Minister again , I'm not going 720 00:31:13,739 --> 00:31:16,050 to speak directly to any particular 721 00:31:16,060 --> 00:31:18,171 actions . And I'm certainly not going 722 00:31:18,171 --> 00:31:20,504 to comment on these purported documents , 723 00:31:20,510 --> 00:31:23,489 but Ukraine has to make decisions 724 00:31:23,989 --> 00:31:26,500 about how it can most effectively 725 00:31:26,689 --> 00:31:28,356 defend itself against Russian 726 00:31:28,356 --> 00:31:31,449 aggression and take back the territory 727 00:31:31,459 --> 00:31:34,339 that's been seized from it . We give 728 00:31:34,349 --> 00:31:36,979 our advice is appropriate . We provide 729 00:31:36,989 --> 00:31:40,699 the support that is well known , but 730 00:31:40,709 --> 00:31:42,820 Ukraine makes the decisions about how 731 00:31:42,829 --> 00:31:45,300 it actually prosecutes the effort to 732 00:31:45,310 --> 00:31:46,588 regain its territory . 733 00:31:50,530 --> 00:31:52,641 First . Let me also share the view of 734 00:31:52,641 --> 00:31:55,000 Secretary Lincoln that we are very 735 00:31:55,010 --> 00:31:57,040 confident after , especially after 736 00:31:57,050 --> 00:31:59,699 today's meeting the commitment to our 737 00:31:59,709 --> 00:32:02,750 alliance and our partnership . And I 738 00:32:02,760 --> 00:32:04,593 really don't want to jump to any 739 00:32:04,593 --> 00:32:06,760 speculation or jump to any conclusions 740 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:08,982 at this stage . We have full confidence 741 00:32:08,982 --> 00:32:10,871 in the investigation that will be 742 00:32:10,871 --> 00:32:13,038 undertaken and certainly we would have 743 00:32:13,038 --> 00:32:15,149 to wait for the results before we can 744 00:32:15,149 --> 00:32:17,371 even comment . But just let me say that 745 00:32:17,371 --> 00:32:19,538 we are confident uh of the uh strength 746 00:32:19,538 --> 00:32:21,538 of our relationship and our growing 747 00:32:21,538 --> 00:32:23,427 partnership final question . Will 748 00:32:23,427 --> 00:32:25,427 Malden of the Wall Street Journal ? 749 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:32,609 Thank you so much . Thank you so much . 750 00:32:32,619 --> 00:32:36,109 First under Secretary Galvez , they 751 00:32:36,119 --> 00:32:38,119 mentioned exercise is going to take 752 00:32:38,119 --> 00:32:40,063 place later this year in the South 753 00:32:40,063 --> 00:32:42,063 China Sea . I wonder what countries 754 00:32:42,063 --> 00:32:44,119 would be involved in those exercises 755 00:32:44,119 --> 00:32:46,341 and whether there are any concerns that 756 00:32:46,341 --> 00:32:49,760 these exercises or the ongoing ones or 757 00:32:49,770 --> 00:32:51,881 different steps that the US is taking 758 00:32:51,881 --> 00:32:53,881 with its allies and partners in the 759 00:32:53,881 --> 00:32:55,937 region would generate a response . A 760 00:32:55,937 --> 00:32:58,650 dangerous response from China for 761 00:32:58,660 --> 00:33:00,890 Secretary Austin . I wanted to ask 762 00:33:01,319 --> 00:33:03,541 irregardless of where the investigation 763 00:33:03,541 --> 00:33:05,486 into the documents takes us or the 764 00:33:05,489 --> 00:33:07,829 veracity of the documents they're 765 00:33:07,839 --> 00:33:11,400 posted online and definitely seen by 766 00:33:11,410 --> 00:33:13,959 the Russians as well as the Ukrainians . 767 00:33:14,040 --> 00:33:15,929 I wonder to what degree this will 768 00:33:15,929 --> 00:33:17,873 affect the tactics of the expected 769 00:33:17,873 --> 00:33:20,020 Ukrainian offensive this spring or 770 00:33:20,030 --> 00:33:21,919 summer to what degree would their 771 00:33:21,919 --> 00:33:24,099 tactics need to change ? To ? What 772 00:33:24,109 --> 00:33:26,220 degree would you recommend changes in 773 00:33:26,220 --> 00:33:29,689 those tactics ? Finally , for Secretary 774 00:33:29,699 --> 00:33:31,989 Blinken , I wanted to ask about my good 775 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,056 friend and colleague , Evan Goshko , 776 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:37,760 you found him wrongfully detained . And 777 00:33:37,770 --> 00:33:40,390 so I wanted to ask when your staff will 778 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:42,729 be able to get consular access to him 779 00:33:42,739 --> 00:33:45,072 in Russia ? What's taking so long there ? 780 00:33:45,209 --> 00:33:48,280 And will there be any leverage that you 781 00:33:48,290 --> 00:33:50,457 can exert , is there any leverage that 782 00:33:50,457 --> 00:33:52,623 you can exert to get Russia to provide 783 00:33:52,623 --> 00:33:55,510 that access and what strategies you 784 00:33:55,619 --> 00:33:58,319 know , will you work on and will the 785 00:33:58,329 --> 00:34:00,385 administration be working on to free 786 00:34:00,385 --> 00:34:01,385 him Thank you . 787 00:34:04,869 --> 00:34:07,349 And the exercises is on its 38 788 00:34:07,359 --> 00:34:10,000 iteration and , uh it's been uh doing 789 00:34:10,010 --> 00:34:13,379 the year and , uh , we don't expect uh 790 00:34:13,389 --> 00:34:15,909 uh any violent , uh pro that , um , 791 00:34:16,139 --> 00:34:18,280 this , uh , exercises is intended for 792 00:34:18,290 --> 00:34:20,457 our collective defense with the US and 793 00:34:20,457 --> 00:34:22,909 other allies for today . For , uh , for 794 00:34:22,919 --> 00:34:25,810 this . Uh , uh , we have uh the 795 00:34:25,820 --> 00:34:27,987 participation of , uh , as I have said 796 00:34:27,987 --> 00:34:31,364 earlier , 17,000 troops including uh uh 797 00:34:31,604 --> 00:34:35,195 12,000 Americans , uh 5000 Filipinos 798 00:34:35,205 --> 00:34:38,764 and uh 111 Australians . We have also 799 00:34:38,774 --> 00:34:41,504 observers from uh the nations and also 800 00:34:41,514 --> 00:34:45,044 from uh other uh allies . And uh we are 801 00:34:45,054 --> 00:34:46,998 happy to , to say that uh these uh 802 00:34:46,998 --> 00:34:50,435 exercises are varied uh exercises on 803 00:34:50,445 --> 00:34:52,425 counter terrorism , humanitarian 804 00:34:52,435 --> 00:34:55,915 response and also on uh developing 805 00:34:55,925 --> 00:34:58,147 interoperability with our US forces and 806 00:34:58,147 --> 00:35:00,455 also our Australian friends . 807 00:35:03,570 --> 00:35:06,879 Well , thanks for the question . I just 808 00:35:06,889 --> 00:35:09,570 spoke with my counterpart in Ukraine 809 00:35:09,580 --> 00:35:12,340 today , Minister Alexi Reznikoff , 810 00:35:13,350 --> 00:35:15,517 we talked about a number of issues but 811 00:35:15,517 --> 00:35:18,840 as we typically do , but he and the 812 00:35:18,850 --> 00:35:21,989 leadership remain focused on the task 813 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,679 at hand and I have every confidence 814 00:35:24,689 --> 00:35:27,889 that they will do what good leaders , 815 00:35:27,899 --> 00:35:30,590 great leaders do , they will fight the 816 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:34,139 enemy and not be driven by a 817 00:35:34,149 --> 00:35:36,739 specific plan . They have a great plan 818 00:35:36,750 --> 00:35:39,659 to start , but only 819 00:35:40,879 --> 00:35:43,689 President Zelinsky and his leadership 820 00:35:43,699 --> 00:35:46,169 really know the full details of that 821 00:35:46,179 --> 00:35:49,560 plan . So you know , they 822 00:35:49,570 --> 00:35:52,439 have much of the capability that they 823 00:35:52,449 --> 00:35:55,320 need to continue to be successful . 824 00:35:55,449 --> 00:35:58,979 We've trained an enormous number of 825 00:35:58,989 --> 00:36:02,239 troops . We have provided a substantial 826 00:36:02,250 --> 00:36:06,120 number of platforms . And so I think , 827 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:08,542 I think he feels that he's , they're in 828 00:36:08,542 --> 00:36:10,653 a pretty good position and we'll stay 829 00:36:10,653 --> 00:36:12,560 focused on continuing to generate 830 00:36:13,209 --> 00:36:16,989 security assistance capability so that 831 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:18,944 they can continue to be successful 832 00:36:18,944 --> 00:36:21,239 whenever they choose to take up 833 00:36:21,250 --> 00:36:25,219 offensive operations . And again , the 834 00:36:25,229 --> 00:36:27,396 sustainment will be there throughout . 835 00:36:27,396 --> 00:36:30,429 We'll stay connected with our allies 836 00:36:30,439 --> 00:36:33,560 and partners . We next meet for our 837 00:36:33,570 --> 00:36:35,459 next round of the Ukraine defense 838 00:36:35,459 --> 00:36:39,169 contact group meeting on the 21st and I 839 00:36:39,179 --> 00:36:41,401 look forward to seeing him and the rest 840 00:36:41,401 --> 00:36:44,090 of our colleagues at that meeting and 841 00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:46,739 will ask your question regarding Evan . 842 00:36:46,949 --> 00:36:48,671 Yes , I made the determination 843 00:36:48,671 --> 00:36:50,782 yesterday that he is being wrongfully 844 00:36:50,782 --> 00:36:54,020 detained by Russia . President Biden 845 00:36:54,030 --> 00:36:55,974 had an opportunity to speak to his 846 00:36:55,974 --> 00:36:58,500 family today . I believe I've spoken to 847 00:36:58,510 --> 00:37:00,288 your colleagues , including the 848 00:37:00,288 --> 00:37:02,399 leadership of the Wall Street Journal 849 00:37:02,399 --> 00:37:04,510 multiple times about Evan's situation 850 00:37:04,510 --> 00:37:06,732 when I spoke to Foreign Minister Lavrov 851 00:37:06,732 --> 00:37:08,899 about a week ago . Now just after Evan 852 00:37:08,899 --> 00:37:11,066 was detained , I of course pressed for 853 00:37:11,066 --> 00:37:13,010 his immediate release , but I also 854 00:37:13,010 --> 00:37:15,121 pressed for immediate consular access 855 00:37:15,121 --> 00:37:17,232 to him . The fact that Russia has not 856 00:37:17,232 --> 00:37:20,850 granted that access puts it once again 857 00:37:20,860 --> 00:37:23,489 in violation of international 858 00:37:23,500 --> 00:37:26,360 commitments . It's made commitments 859 00:37:26,370 --> 00:37:30,120 that are at the heart of diplomatic 860 00:37:30,129 --> 00:37:33,570 relations between countries and 861 00:37:33,580 --> 00:37:37,110 the ability of 862 00:37:37,739 --> 00:37:41,100 our citizens as well to , to be able to 863 00:37:41,110 --> 00:37:44,659 safely be present in other countries . 864 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:50,469 I think Russia not following through on 865 00:37:50,479 --> 00:37:52,889 meeting its obligations to consular 866 00:37:52,899 --> 00:37:56,419 access . Never mind the practice of 867 00:37:56,429 --> 00:37:58,262 detaining people arbitrarily for 868 00:37:58,262 --> 00:38:01,530 political purposes , is going to do 869 00:38:01,540 --> 00:38:04,699 even more damage to Russia's standing 870 00:38:04,709 --> 00:38:07,050 around the world standing that has been 871 00:38:07,060 --> 00:38:09,270 in freefall particularly since its re 872 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:13,270 invasion of Ukraine last year . And I 873 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:16,669 think it sends a very strong message to 874 00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:19,167 people around the world to be aware of 875 00:38:19,167 --> 00:38:21,056 setting foot there , lest they be 876 00:38:21,056 --> 00:38:25,040 arbitrarily detained and in the context 877 00:38:25,050 --> 00:38:27,217 of being arbitrary detained , not even 878 00:38:27,217 --> 00:38:29,439 having access for the diplomats who are 879 00:38:29,439 --> 00:38:32,360 there to look out for their interests 880 00:38:32,449 --> 00:38:34,570 and who is a matter of solemn 881 00:38:34,580 --> 00:38:36,691 international obligations that Russia 882 00:38:36,691 --> 00:38:39,649 has undertaken should be allowed that 883 00:38:39,659 --> 00:38:43,080 access . I'm not going to get 884 00:38:43,090 --> 00:38:46,439 into what measures steps 885 00:38:46,449 --> 00:38:49,399 we're taking or might take to do that . 886 00:38:49,409 --> 00:38:51,298 I can simply tell you that we are 887 00:38:51,298 --> 00:38:53,439 engaged every single day in pressing 888 00:38:53,449 --> 00:38:55,750 for that access as well as pressing for 889 00:38:55,760 --> 00:38:57,919 Evans release . Thank you , your 890 00:38:57,929 --> 00:38:58,985 excellent season . 891 00:39:02,179 --> 00:39:02,689 Thanks .