December 18, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded his successful participation in the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in Tokyo, Japan.
In a video statement, the President emphasized that during the Commemorative Summit, the Philippines advocated a rules-based Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, guided by the shared fundamental principles as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
“We also discussed how Japan’s role in ASEAN and individual states’ economies have progressed over the past five decades,” he stated, acknowledging Japan for its important role in the economic development of Southeast Asia.
In terms of investments, President Marcos Jr. reported the progress made from the pledges received last February 2023. During this visit, new letters of intent (LOIs) and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were also signed, which are valued at PhP14.5 billion in investments and over 15,750 additional job opportunities.
“My Administration will see to it that our constructive engagements with ASEAN, our External Partners, our stakeholders, will continue to best serve our national interest, in as much as we promote the regional interest of peace and prosperity, for the well-being of our people,” President Marcos Jr. concluded in his message.
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