MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will meet with President George W. Bush during her weeklong working visit to Washington DC and New York City next month, Malacańang and the White House announced Thursday.
A statement from The White House press office said Bush will welcome Arroyo to the White House on June 24, where they will discuss a wide range of concerns.
Bush, said the statement, ?welcomes the opportunity to talk to President Arroyo about ways to advance our close bilateral cooperation on a broad range of areas, including ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], Burma, counterterrorism, defense reform, food security, and regional economic integration.?
? The US-Philippines alliance is grounded firmly in shared values of freedom, security and prosperity, and the President looks forward to discussions with President Arroyo on ways to enhance further our strong partnership and support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,? the White House said.
During her June 23-29 visit, Arroyo will also meet with other key US government officials and members of Congress, Filipino World War II veterans, leaders and members of the Filipino American community, business people, investors, and environmental groups, Bunye said in a statement.
Arroyo will host a reception for the Permanent Representatives of the United Nations in connection with the candidature of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to the International Court of Justice.
Arroyo and Bush had a brief lounge chat September 9 last year at the Sydney Opera House for the opening of the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit.
Last week of September 2007, she visited the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly, meet with business leaders, and grace the Clinton Global Initiative.
Arroyo is expected to personally thank Bush and the US Senate for its historic 96-1 vote in favor of the Veterans Benefits Bill. She will also meet with the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus, a group which is composed of Members of the House of Representatives particularly interested in strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States.
In Washington, Bush will welcome Arroyo to the White House for discussions on ways to further strengthening our long standing and historic bilateral relations. The two leaders will also discuss a broad range of issues, including food security, protection of the environment, the Philippine Defense Reform program, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, ASEAN's community building, human rights, Myanmar, global trade.
Arroyo will also thank Bush for the support given to Filipino World War II veterans through the US Veterans Office in Manila and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, and will also express her hope for a meaningful resolution to remaining issues relating to our veterans.
Arroyo will also have an audience with some US Cabinet officials.
While in Washington, she will hold consultations with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Last March, the MCC granted the Philippines Compact Eligible status, opening the doors to large grants for sustainable growth. The Philippines was chosen after passing objective indicators in the areas of governing justly, investing in
citizens, and encouraging economic freedom.
The President will also advance her environmental agenda while in Washington, including a special meeting of stakeholders in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI). This meeting will bring the private and business sectors into this important initiative on the environment. The CTI is focused on three primary areas: 1) protecting coral reefs from man-made and natural disturbances, 2) developing sustainable fisheries, and 3) ensuring food security for the region's inhabitants.
The ASEAN-US Business Council and the United States Chamber of Commerce will jointly host a dinner in honor of President Arroyo in Washington.
