[ad_1]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 16) – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed their shared commitment to further expand and deepen the ties of the two countries in various areas of cooperation.
The two heads of state spoke for the first time in a 25-minute phone conversation on Monday, three months after Suga took office as the new Japanese prime minister after his predecessor Shinzo Abe resigned for health reasons.
“Japan is a valued partner of the Philippines. As a closer friend than brother, ours is an exemplary association that has stood the test of time,” Duterte said.
Duterte thanked Japan for its continued support of the Mindanao peace and development agenda and his administration’s core Build Build program, which Suga reiterated will continue under his tenure.
“The 36-kilometer Metro Manila Metro will start partially operating in 2022. The first of its kind in the Philippines, it will be a major culminating achievement of our cooperation during my tenure,” Duterte said.
Duterte also expressed gratitude for Japan’s $ 3.16 million emergency assistance, two substantial loans for the Philippines pandemic recovery efforts, and for facilitating the repatriation of 3,852 Filipinos from Japan amid the health crisis. .
“Until COVID-19, the Philippines was consistently among the fastest growing economies in the region. Our fundamentals remain strong. Support from Japan increases our optimism and confidence to contain the pandemic and return our economy to its trajectory of growth “, Duterte added.
Duterte also highlighted the growing maritime security and defense cooperation between the two nations by exchanging views with Suga on regional issues, including the Western Philippine Sea and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Suga assured that Japan will help promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Meanwhile, Suga expressed his hope that the establishment of the Consulate General of Japan in Cebu in January will further strengthen the ties of the two countries, as 2021 marks the 65th year of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan.
[ad_2]
