U.S. and Philippines Strengthen Defense Cooperation with Enhanced Agreement

The United States and the Philippines have agreed to expand America’s military presence in the Southeast Asian nation. The two countries announced on Thursday that they will accelerate the full implementation of their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which will allow the U.S. access to four more bases in the Philippines.

The agreement comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in the country for talks about deploying U.S. forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps. The move is seen as a way to deter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is meant to support combined training, exercises and interoperability between the two countries. The agreement will also provide the U.S. with access to more Philippine military camps, allowing for increased joint military operations.

The U.S. and the Philippines have a long history of cooperation, with the two countries having signed a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951. The treaty has been seen as a cornerstone of the U.S.’s security strategy in the region, and the two countries have worked together to counter regional threats.

The U.S. and the Philippines have not yet provided details on the specifics of the agreement, but the two countries have said that they are committed to strengthening their defense cooperation. The agreement is seen as a way to ensure peace and stability in the region, and to deter any aggressive actions by China.