Music Room, Malacañan Palace
07 January 2016
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, Philip Hammond, in a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.
As part of his three-day tour in East Asia, the Official Visit of Secretary Hammond in the country also marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and United Kingdom. It aims to build deeper security, political, and cultural links between the two nations, as well as to further strengthen ties in terms of trade, investment, defense, and economic cooperation.
Prior to the courtesy call, Secretary Hammond held talks with Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario to discuss various matters including the West Philippine Sea dispute in which the UK believes that the issue must be resolved in accordance with international law.
President Aquino was joined by DFA Secretary del Rosario and Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Enrique Manalo in the courtesy call.
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