The United States’ policy of greater engagement in the Asia-Pacific region “is demonstrated in a number of ways, including through security and defense-related cooperation,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Yun before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. As such, the United States is deepening its military cooperation with its Asian partners.
“Our commitment is strong and enduring, because, as a Pacific nation, the United States’ prosperity and security are inherently tied to the region,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
But military engagement is just one element of enhancing security in the region, which is why the United States continues to bolster its diplomatic, development, economic, and people-to-people engagement as well.
The United States places a particularly high value on regional partnerships at every level. The result is “progress on trade agreements, closer coordination on law enforcement and counter-terrorism initiatives ... advancing anti-human trafficking measures, and other efforts to advance good governance, democracy and human rights in the region,” notes Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
Still, economies cannot flourish and create prosperity in the absence of security or stability. Similarly, the lack of prosperity may lead to instability. So the United States is boosting trade in the Asia-Pacific region through increased investment, and better economic integration.
By promoting cross-border trade and easing the way for cross-regional economic cooperation, we not only pave the way toward greater regional prosperity; we also help to set the stage for more effective cooperation on transnational challenges, such as terrorism, organized crime, and trafficking.
“Our engagement on the military front is formulated in concert with our allies and partners in the region and will continue to reinforce the other aspects of our Asia-Pacific policy,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
“Our security efforts will continue to underpin stability, and provide reassurance to the region as we concurrently focus on fostering economic growth, increasing coordination on transnational issues, strengthening people-to-people ties, and encouraging democratic development,” he said.
“It is increasingly vital for the United States to demonstrate in concrete terms our firm and unwavering commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, not only through our military presence and alliances, but also through our engagement in the full range of issues important to countries in the region.”
“Our commitment is strong and enduring, because, as a Pacific nation, the United States’ prosperity and security are inherently tied to the region,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
But military engagement is just one element of enhancing security in the region, which is why the United States continues to bolster its diplomatic, development, economic, and people-to-people engagement as well.
The United States places a particularly high value on regional partnerships at every level. The result is “progress on trade agreements, closer coordination on law enforcement and counter-terrorism initiatives ... advancing anti-human trafficking measures, and other efforts to advance good governance, democracy and human rights in the region,” notes Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
Still, economies cannot flourish and create prosperity in the absence of security or stability. Similarly, the lack of prosperity may lead to instability. So the United States is boosting trade in the Asia-Pacific region through increased investment, and better economic integration.
By promoting cross-border trade and easing the way for cross-regional economic cooperation, we not only pave the way toward greater regional prosperity; we also help to set the stage for more effective cooperation on transnational challenges, such as terrorism, organized crime, and trafficking.
“Our engagement on the military front is formulated in concert with our allies and partners in the region and will continue to reinforce the other aspects of our Asia-Pacific policy,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Yun.
“Our security efforts will continue to underpin stability, and provide reassurance to the region as we concurrently focus on fostering economic growth, increasing coordination on transnational issues, strengthening people-to-people ties, and encouraging democratic development,” he said.
“It is increasingly vital for the United States to demonstrate in concrete terms our firm and unwavering commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, not only through our military presence and alliances, but also through our engagement in the full range of issues important to countries in the region.”
