Malacañan Palace
5 December 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III received President Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in a courtesy call held in Malacañang.
Today is President Sein’s second day of visit in the Philippines. He is in the country to hold bilateral meetings with President Aquino and his cabinet members, as well as the signing of agreements concerning different sectors.
In a joint press statement, President Aquino thanked the government of Myanmar for reaching out to the victims of the recent super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas. A total of US $100,000 and seven tons of relief goods were flown in by the Myanmar Defense Services.
He then added that President Sein’s visit is a testimony to the two nations’ desire to learn more from each other. “We look forward to an even stronger relationship with Myanmar as we prepare for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 2016,” he said.
The Philippines and Myanmar are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two nations have held diplomatic ties since September 29, 1956. For many years, the Philippines and Myanmar maintained their close partnership and the visit of President Then Sein is said to improve further these countries’ strong relations.
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