President Rodrigo Duterte and Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o- cha hold a toast during the state dinner at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on March 21, 2017. (Richard Madel/Presidential Photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines —- President Rodrigo Duterte completed his introductory visits with all the heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the Philippines prepares for the ASEAN chairmanship this year.
The Philippines chairmanship coincides with the golden anniversary of the ASEAN.
Duterte concluded his official visits to ASEAN states with his last visit to Myanmar and Thailand on March 19 to 22.
Acting Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said all the President’s meeting turned positive as he reaffirmed the friendship of the Philippines with Myanmar and Thailand. The Philippines relationship with Myanmar spans almost six decades, while the country’s friendship with Thailand will be turning 68 years in June this year.
Manalo said Duterte discussed defense and security cooperation in Myanmar with President U Htin Kyaw among other fields of cooperation to enhance a vibrant and vigorous bilateral relationship between the two countries.
16th biggest investor
According to Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex Chua, the Philippines ranked as Myanmar’s 16th biggest investor in 2016.
Manalo added that Duterte have discussed “quite a number of issues, the most significant ones were on trade and investment” with President Kyaw.
The state leaders also discussed common approaches in dealing with transnational crime and terrorism, violent extremism and illegal drug trade. Cultural exchanges, educational exchanges, agricultural cooperation were also tackled, said Manalo.
“Even the possibility of direct air services to promote tourism of both ways,” he said.
The Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on food security and agricultural cooperation with Myanmar.
“This MOU aims to strengthen the development of both countries’ agricultural sector through cooperation in the fields of food security, fisheries, food processing and Halal industry,” Manalo said.
The President also turned over $300,000 worth of aid as humanitarian assistance to Myanmar Minister for Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi on March 20, 2017.
The grant is intended to aid the humanitarian efforts in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Manalo said the country gave it “as a gesture of goodwill and support to Myanmar” who also provided humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
Thailand’s friend
Manalo also said that Duterte and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s meeting was “fruitful and productive.”
In his remarks at the official dinner during his visit in Thailand on Tuesday, Mar. 21, Duterte told Thai Prime Minister Prayut: “As Thailand continues to its own onward advance, rest assured that the Philippines will be there as a friend and as a brother to support. As I have said earlier, we are a faithful friend, sir.”
Manalo added that both leaders discussed the overall bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Thailand “which will be 68 years old by June this year.”
“They covered a broad range of topics in their discussions, political, economic, military cooperation, among others,” he said.
Manalo said both leaders agreed that it was important to sustain the momentum of our bilateral cooperation.
The state officials have agreed on the importance of convening the 6th meeting of the Philippine – Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, “at a mutually convenient date.”
Duterte encouraged Thai businesses to invest in the Philippines, including in infrastructure and the agri-business sector.
The Prime Minister of Thailand said that he would seek to encourage support in Thai investments in the Philippines and encourage the promotion of the small and medium enterprise sector.
Among the highlights of the President’s visit also were the signing of three agreements namely:
- Agreement between the Government of the DOST of the Republic of the Philippines and Kingdom of Thailand for cooperation in the field of Science and Technology
- Implementing Program on Tourism Cooperation 2017-2022 between the Department of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines and the ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Kingdom of Thailand
- Implementing Arrangement on Specific Areas of Cooperation between the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on the Kingdom of Thailand and the DA – Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) of the Republic of the Philippines on Swamp and Dairy Buffalo Production
Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and her counterpart, Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul also signed Implementing Program of Tourism Cooperation 2017-2022 in a bid to promote tourism partnership between both countries.
Both Myanmar and Thailand expressed full support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN this year.
Duterte said: “There are opportunities to be had yet, there remain challenges to be addressed,” as the country takes on the ASEAN chairmanship.
He said the goal is to make ASEAN stronger.
“We will remain steadfast in our goal to do our utmost to make ASEAN stronger. With the theme, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” we reaffirm our strong resolve to consolidate our community for our peoples,” Duterte said. (davaotoday.com)
