(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte departed on Monday, April 10, for state visits to three Middle East countries — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar — saying it was important to “reinforce” ties with the Gulf states where the largest group of Filipinos are working.
In his departure speech, President Duterte said this would be first meeting with the “esteemed leaders” in the Gulf, stressing how this is important as “there is much at stake in the Philippines’ relations with the Middle East.”
The President said he would forge “deeper and more meaningful and more positive engagements” in the said region which is the “global center of traditional energy resources” as well as a “source of investments with potential for much growth.”
“It is an expanding market for key Philippine products and services. And, it is home to the largest group of Filipinos working overseas,” he stressed.
-Support for Filipinos, peace in Mindanao, and ASEAN community building
He said he was also excited to meet with the Filipino communities in the three countries to thank them for their support to government’s efforts to stop crimes
“I am excited to see them and thank them for their support for our efforts to bring reform and change in our country,” he said.
The President said he would also seek the support of the Middle East leaders to “bring just and lasting peace in Mindanao” and for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is to be chaired by the Philippines this year..
“I also look forward to exchanging views with them on regional security issues, promoting intercultural dialogue and the Philippines’ efforts at community building in ASEAN,” he said.
The first leg of the President’s trip will be in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he will meet with His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“It is and will be an important and valuable opportunity to reaffirm a lasting friendship and seek ways [of] further broadening cooperation, particularly in politico-security and defense, trade and investments, anti-narcotics, labor, energy, education and culture,” he said.
He will then proceed to the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama and then to Doha, Qatar to meet with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
In both countries, the President will also seek to further broaden the cooperation in terms of politico-security and defense, trade and investments, anti-narcotics, labor, energy, health, education and culture.
Duterte also explained that the importance of reinforcing the ties of the Philippines with the Middle East cannot be overstated. He said the Philippines and the Middle East shared strategic interests and deep and abiding ties that go above and beyond the formal relationships between the said states.