MANILA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the Philippines capital of Manila is a reaffirmation of the two nations’ commitment to strengthen their bilateral ties, says the republic’s president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He said Anwar’s two-day visit to Philippines starting Wednesday renewed the republic’s ‘strong and sincere’ friendship with Malaysia, reported Philippine News Agency (PNA).
In his toast remarks during the official dinner hosted for the Malaysian premier, Marcos said he was elated that his meeting with Anwar led to the commitment to bolster the two countries’ cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment.
“Mr. Prime Minister, the Philippines and the Filipinos were there for you during some of your darkest days. Let me assure you now that this sincere and tested friendship has remained strong throughout the decades,” PNA reported Marcos as saying in a speech delivered at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday night.
“I further express my hope that this warm kinship between us as leaders will set the tone of the bilateral relations between our governments, countries, and peoples, in the years to come,” he added.
Marcos expressed optimism that the long-standing friendship between Manila and Kuala Lumpur would enable them to surpass the present and future challenges, which include “geopolitical upheavals, supply disruptions, and inflation”.
He said he is also looking forward to working with Malaysia in reclaiming the growth that the two nations had lost to the pandemic.
The report said Marcos and Anwar first met in 2018. However, this is their first meeting as state leaders.
Anwar is Marcos’ first official guest, highlighting the importance of Malaysia as the country’s Asean neighbour.
Aside from being Asean founding members, the two countries have rich bilateral ties and history, boasting almost six decades of friendship with interactions between their peoples dating back millennia.
Malaysia and the Philippines have engaged in collaborative initiatives for a peaceful and more secure region by conducting joint patrols to combat transnational crimes in the seas.
Malaysia also acted as third party facilitator in the Philippine government’s peace process with Muslim separatists in Mindanao, which has contributed to significant progress in the peace and stability in the south. – BERNAMA
