Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, Pasay City
June 5, 2018
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his statement upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City after concluding his three-day Official Visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
“My meetings with President Moon Jae-in were very warm, open and enriching – as things should be between special friends and long-standing partners,” he said.
President Duterte mentioned that he and the South Korean leader are committed to significantly strengthen the partnership between the two countries, especially in the areas of defense and security, trade and investments, infrastructure development, and protection of its nationals.
“New Government-to-Government agreements open up areas [for] wider collaboration in science and technology, infrastructure development, renewable energy deployment, trade and economic relations, transportation, agriculture, forestry, and communications,” he divulged.
The Chief Executive also stressed that the Philippines will be counting on South Korea as a partner in developing and modernizing the country’s assets in defense, security and law enforcement as the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of working hand in hand to address threats, terrorism, transnational crimes, and piracy at the sea.
“Trade between our countries has been [reinvigorated]: more than 20 agreements were signed between South Korean and the Philippine businesses. These agreements hopefully are projected to generate an estimated of 4.8 billion [US] dollars in investments and [nearly] translated to about well let’s say modest of maybe 20 to 25 thousand jobs,” he added.
During his visit, President Duterte also took time to speak and meet with the Filipino community in South Korea where he was welcomed with a very warm reception. In his meeting with the Filipino community, the President vowed that the government would continue to work hard to advance their interests, protect their well-being, and uphold their rights.
“We look forward to the landmark 70th anniversary of our [relations] in 2019, and we will work together to make this occasion memorable. Indeed, the Republic of Korea is a true friend of the Philippines. And President Moon an even closer ally. Our friendship is reaching a new maturity at even closer as deep and abiding friends. It is reaching on the level of mutual respect for each other, and our relations will only grow stronger in the years to come,” he concluded.
President Duterte is the first Head of State from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who visited South Korea since President Moon assumed office on May last year.
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