National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone on February 12 with National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon of the Philippines. The National Security Advisors welcomed the 70^th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and discussed opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines Alliance. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the Administration’s recognition that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, pursuant to the UN Law of the Sea Convention, is final and legally binding on all parties. The National Security Advisors also discussed the coup in Burma, as well as issues related to human rights and counterterrorism.

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