(Photo from PBBM's official Facebook page)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed his intent to strengthen the Philippines' collaboration with Japan in various areas of mutual interest.
Marcos made the commitment, when Mori Masafumi, the Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, paid a courtesy call on him at Malacañan Palace.
Marcos mentioned his plan to improve the two countries' cooperation on climate change mitigation, maritime security, agriculture and food security, and infrastructure development, Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), said in a press statement.
The President also sought strategic partnership with Japan in the West Philippine Sea, Garafil added.
"Marcos said he wants to work with the Japanese government on climate change, maritime security, the West Philippines Sea, agriculture and food security, as well as infrastructure development," she said.
During his meeting with Masafumi, Marcos said Japan "is and will remain a solid and steadfast partner of the Philippines."
“I look forward to work closely with Prime Minister Kishida in building an even stronger strategic partnership with your country,” Marcos said, as quoted by the OPS.
Masafumi, in response, echoed Kishida's confidence in Marcos and his administration.
He also reiterated Kishida's strong commitment to continue the two nations' mutual high-level engagements and bilateral platforms in pursuit of enhanced strategic partnership.
"Masafumi said his country looks forward to continuing its tie-up with the Philippine government in various areas of cooperation, particularly in infrastructure development," Garafil said.
Masafumi also renewed Japan's invitation to Marcos to embark on a state visit to Japan.
Masafumi flew to the Philippines to participate in the 13th High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation.
Before his meeting with Masafumi, Marcos thanked Japan for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing infrastructure development projects.
Marcos also thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency for providing financial support for the implementation of four stations of the Metro Manila Subway-Contract Packages 102 and 103.
During the Philippines and Japan's 9th Military-to-Military dialogue in Manila on Oct. 21, the two countries discussed plans to further expand their defense relations.
In another Philippine-Japan Vice Ministerial Strategic Dialogue held in Manila on Sept. 7, the two nations saw emerging partnerships on space and energy security. (PNA)
