THE Philippines has committed to forging deeper and more progressive relations as well as pursuing more areas of cooperation with Japan, Ethiopia and Peru.
President Marcos Jr., in receiving Natsuo Yamaguchi, a Representative of the Komeito Party of Japan in Malacañang yesterday, emphasized “the need to bring the (Philippine-Japan) partnership into higher levels of cooperation anchored on enhancing key discussions in defense and security in the Asia-Pacific region,” Radio Television Malacanang shared.
The President said with recent developments, including the growing tension between Japan and North Korea, “We consider it a critical issue that we in their region must work together very, very hard to try to alleviate the tensions, to try to make all the proponents of peace in the region be the dominant voice.”
RTVM, in its social media posts, said the President also expressed hopes to establish and create more opportunities in boosting economic peace and strength between the Philippines and Japan.
Marcos also reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to work closely with Japan towards sustaining areas of mutual cooperation in trade, economy, infrastructure, maritime industry and official development assistance (ODA), among others.
“Times have changed and those agreements have gone beyond just trade, business, investment, and we now have to concern ourselves with issues of security and defense in our region,” he said.
“We must acknowledge the very important contributions that Japan has made to the Philippines in terms of not only training, not only in terms of equipment but also the agreements that we have been able to forge between our two countries in terms of cooperation, in terms of preserving the peace and allowing the free conduct of trade and shipping in the South China Sea,” he added.
Yamaguchi said his party is committed to helping enhance the cooperation and relationship between the Philippines and Japan.
He also recognized the reforms that the Marcos administration is implementing, including the setting up of the Maharlika Investment Fund.
He said that given Japan’s support for the Philippines’ infrastructure through ODA, “I hope that Maharlika Investment Fund as a transparent, independent institution will help your country’s infrastructure investment.”
Among those who attended the event were Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa, among others.
ETHIOPIA, PERU TIES
Last Tuesday, the President also received in Malacanang Ethiopian Ambassador Dessie Dalkie Dukamo and Peruvian Ambassador Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán.
The President agreed with Dukamo on the establishment of possible areas of cooperation such as in trade, technology skills training, and air linkages between the Philippines and Ethiopia.
Dukamo said Africa has been positioning itself as an emerging major economy and the Philippines could seize the opportunity by forging a stronger partnership with Ethiopia.
He said Philippine businessmen can invest in Ethiopia’s industrial area, particularly with their expertise in manufacturing, especially electronics.
He also acknowledged the Philippines’ agriculture and manufacturing industries, as well as having technically-trained, skilled, dedicated and productive workers.
“We know the Philippines well through its workers. We are so grateful and we can share a lot in the area of trade and industry. From the fastest-growing economy, we can share a lot. Ethiopia is also now growing larger, step by step (becoming) a large country and the largest economy in East Africa with huge potential in trade and investment,” he added.
Dukamo also raised the need to establish air linkages between Ethiopia and the Philippines to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, which could also be expanded regionally in Africa, to which Marcos agreed.
The President also received Bazán in Malacañang where they talked about possible future collaboration between the two countries.
“It is imperative that we all work together. No matter how big or rich or strong a country is, I don’t think there is a single country that can manage this by themselves,” the President said, highlighting the post-coronavirus pandemic economic recovery that the world is now facing.
Bazán agreed with Marcos, saying that in an interconnected world, nations need to work together to be more effective in tackling global challenges.
“Also, the Philippines is a very important trade partner for us in the region. We are really looking forward to deepening that relationship,” she said, adding that her country is also looking at resupplying the Philippines with its agricultural products like grapes and avocado.
Peru, along with Chile, Colombia and Mexico, maintains a sub-corporation mechanism with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, wherein the Philippines is a very important member, Bazan said, noting that her country and the Philippines face common issues such as sustainable and inclusive development, technology, innovation, climate change, and education.
