MANILA, March 1 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III returned from Kuala Lumpur early Saturday morning following his successful two-day state visit to Malaysia.
President Aquino, along with his official delegation, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II at around 2:47 a.m. on board a chartered Philippine Airlines flight PR 001.
The President flew to Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 27 at the invitation of His Majesty The Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Head of State of Malaysia, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.
During his arrival statement, President Aquino cited the gains of his visit in Malaysia, such as the signing of the Agreement on Cultural, Arts, and Heritage Cooperation; and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Education.
The signing of the cooperation agreements came after the President’s bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Najib.
The President said that Malaysia also expressed readiness to help the Philippines in the field of Islamic banking and finance. The two countries also agreed to boost bilateral trade, as well as defense and security cooperation.
President Aquino also thanked the Malaysian government for its support to the peace process in Mindanao, as well as for the assistance it extended to the country in the wake of super Typhoon “Yolanda.”
The President and the Prime Minister also agreed on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, in accordance with international law, President Aquino said.
During the visit, the President met with His Majesty The Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Head of State of Malaysia. He also met with the Filipino community there and shared the positive outcomes of the administration’s reforms and good governance.
“Personal po nating ibinahagi sa kanila ang positibong epekto ng ating mga reporma, at ang inaasahan nating pagpapatuloy ng pag-aarangkada ng atin pong bansa. (I personally imparted to them the positive effects of our reforms, and our expectation on the continuous progress of our country),” the President said in his arrival statement.
The President also met with Malaysian businessmen and personally invited them to invest in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
“Ngayon nga pong natatanaw na natin ang kapayapaan sa rehiyong ‘yon, umaasa din tayo sa napipintong pagpasok ng marami pang mga negosyo at sa panganganak nito ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan. (Now that we see peace in that region, we are hopeful of the entry of more investments and that this will give birth to more opportunities for our countrymen),” he said. (source: Philippine News Agency)
