Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Timor
Leste arrives for 4-day official visit to the Philippines
The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of
Timor Leste His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao arrived at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport Terminal 2 on Thursday night as part of his four-day
Official Visit to the Philippines scheduled from June 6 to 9.
Prime Minister Gusmao arrived on board
Philippine Air Lines flight PR512 from Singapore at around 12:18 a.m.
He is scheduled to meet with President Benigno
S. Aquino III in Malacanang where an Official Luncheon will be held for the
visiting Head of Government.
Prior to his meeting with President Aquino,
Gusmao will hold wreath laying cermonies at the Rizal monument in Manila.
On Friday (June 7), Gusmao will give a lecture
at the University of the Philippines College of Law and then pay visits to the
East La Mesa Water Treatment Plant and The Medical City in Pasig City and will
then tour Casa Manila in Intramuros.
He will then head up north to Olongapo City on
Saturday (June 8) where he will meet with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
officials and will tour the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. PND (rck)
Republic of Timor Leste Prime Minister kicks off
official visit to the Philippines with visit to Rizal monument
Republic of Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala
Xanana Gusmao began his four-day Official Visit to the Philippines by visiting
monument of Jose Rizal in Luneta, Manila on Thursday.
Gusmao, who arrived at the Rizal Park at around
9:45 a.m., paid his respects to the country’s National Hero by laying a
beautifully crafted wreath of flowers at the foot of Rizal’s monument.
A solemn mood followed as Gusmao bowed his head
and took several minutes to reflect and express his respects for the martyrdom
of Rizal.
At around 10 a.m., Gusmao was ushered to an
awaiting vehicle which then whisked him and his delegation to Malacanang Palace
where a luncheon hosted by President Benigno S. Aquino III would be held in his
honor.
Born on June 20, 1946, in Manatuto, Portuguese
Timor (now East Timor), Prime Minister Gusmao was the first President of East
Timor when it became independent on May 20, 2002.
He served until May 20, 2007, and was succeeded
by former President Jose Ramos Horta. Gusmao has been the 4th Prime Minister of
East Timor since August 8, 2007. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares June 21 as special
non-working day in Laurel, Batangas in celebration of its 44th Foundation Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 21, which falls on a Friday, as a special (non-working day) in the
municipality of Laurel in the province of Batangas in celebration of its 44th
Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration through
Proclamation No. 586 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May
28, to give the people of Laurel the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The town was named in honor of Miguel Laurel who
was known as "the first Laurel in the Philippines."
Known as a fierce foe of the Spanish invaders,
the people of Batangas looked at him as their leader for defending their rights
against the oppressors. PND (js)
Aquino welcomes visiting Timor-Leste Prime
Minister in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed on
Thursday morning Timorese Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in Malacanang
who is on his 4-day official visit to the Philippines.
Gusmao, who is visiting the Philippines for the
first time, arrived in Manila Thursday evening. He was welcomed by the
President in Malacanang at 10 a.m. Thursday and was given full military honors.
He paid a courtesy call on the President and the
two leaders had an expanded bilateral meeting.
Gusmao and President Aquino also witnessed the
signing of agreements between the two countries on tie ups on foreign affairs,
education, and infrastructure development.
During his 4-day stay in the Philippines, Gusmao
is expected to deliver a lecture at the University of the Philippines College
of Law. He will also visit industrial areas in Subic Bay in Olongapo City and
Clark Field in Pampanga and meet with potential investors.
Currently serving his second five-year term as
prime minister, Gusmao concurrently served as Timor-Leste’s minister for
defense and security.
Prior to Timor-Leste’s independence from
Indonesia, Gusmao led a resistance movement seeking self determination.
Indonesia occupied the territory after centuries of Portuguese rule.
Gusmao became Timor-Leste’s first president
after its independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Timor-Leste is currently campaigning to become a
member of the Association of Southest Asian Nations, an initiative backed by
the Philippines. PND (as)
Philippines, Timor-Leste sign agreements on
foreign relations, education, infrastructure development
The Philippines and Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste signed three agreements Thursday aimed at strengthening cooperation
on foreign relations, education and infrastructure development.
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana
Gusmao, who arrived in Manila early morning Thursday, joined President Benigno
S. Aquino III in witnessing the signing of the three agreements in Malacanang
on Thursday.
One of the agreements signed was the memorandum
of understanding on policy consultations between the Department of Foreign
Affairs of the Philippines and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Cooperation.
The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert del Rosario for the Philippines and Foreign Affairs and
Cooperation Minister Jose Luis Guterres for Timor-Leste.
Also signed was the memorandum of understanding
between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Ministry of Public
Works of Timor-Leste.
Secretary Rogelio Singson signed for the
Philippines and Minister Francisco de Sousa of the Ministry of Public Works
singed for Timor-Leste.
The memorandum of the understanding on teacher
training between the Philippine Normal University and the Ministry of Education
of Timor-Leste was also signed Thursday.
Secretary Patricia Licuanan of the Commission on
Higher Education signed for the Philippines while Minister Bendito dos Santos
of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education signed for his country.
The Philippines and Timor-Leste already have tie
ups in education prior to the signing of the MOU on education Thursday.
Thirty-two of more than 100 Timorese scholars in
the Philippines have finished their studies here and have returned to their
country to share the insights gained in the Philippines.
Twenty Timorese scholars are graduating this
year and they are expected to contribute to Timor-Leste’s development. PND (as)
Aquino sees Timor-Leste as partner in regional
development
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his
support for Timor-Leste’s bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) adding that he’s looking forward to working with Timor-Leste in
advancing dialogue for regional development.
“We look forward to working more closely with
you in the future in advancing regional dialogue, which we know will redound
not only to the growth of our peoples and our countries, but will also
contribute to the stability and continued development of our region,” the
President said in his statement expressing his support for Timor-Leste.
The President also acknowledged the close
cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste in the last eleven years in
areas of defense, trade, disaster response and education.
In the economic front, the President said trade
between the Philippines and Timor-Leste has tripled from 2011 to 2012, a
positive sign of the robust partnership between the two countries.
“And with the signing of the agreements on
infrastructure development and capacity building, among others, we open more
doors of opportunity for both our peoples, empowering them to take part in
further building a more equitable, more progressive Southeast Asia,” he said.
Timor-Leste is also a reliable partner in times
of disaster, he said. When Typhoon Pablo hit the Philippines last year,
Timor-Leste contributed $750,000 for the typhoon victims.
Both countries have been working closely in
defense, the President said. The two countries have expressed the same commitment
in conducting military consultations and intelligence exchanges that are vital
to maintaining peace and security in the region, he said.
And with the signing Thursday of three
agreements on education, infrastructure development, and foreign relations, the
President sees stronger relations between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
“Your Excellency, the peoples of our region not
only share a rich history; more importantly, we are bound by common
aspirations. It is by working together that we realize the potential of our
nations and of our region. Our meeting today signifies that our peoples are
determined and ready to achieve these dreams,” the President said.
As a response, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Rala
Xanana Gusmao thanked the President for the warm hospitality extended to him
and his delegation. He also extended his heartfelt congratulations on the 115th
anniversary commemoration of the Philippine independence next week.
Gusmao said Timor-Leste hopes to learn from the
experience of the Philippines in tourism, agriculture and fisheries.
He said his visit to the Philippines is part of
a program to visit all ASEAN countries this year to strengthen both bilateral
and regional ties with Timor-Leste’s neighbours.
“Timor-Leste is seeking membership to ASEAN, as
we believe we can contribute to this dynamic and growing region to which we all
belong,” Gusmao said.
“I am therefore thankful to His Excellency and
his government of their support for our bid for ASEAN membership. We look
forward to joining with the Philippines in the ASEAN family.” PND (as)
Aquino hosts luncheon for Timor-Leste Prime
Minister Gusmao
President Benigno S. Aquino III hosted a
luncheon Thursday in Malacaang in honor of visiting Timor-Leste Prime Minister
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
Gusmao’s visit came at an important time for
both nations, the President said in his message during the event. He said the
Philippines was at a crucial juncture in its democratic history, while
Timor-Leste was treading the path to self-governance and independence.
The Philippines, he said, was stunted by years
of misgovernance and neglect. But the country today has undergone meaningful
transformation that empowered its people to build a more progressive society.
Timor-Leste could always learn from the
experiences of the Philippines, he said, adding the country will always be a
partner for Timor-Leste’s development.
“As Timor-Leste endeavors for greater social
reform, you will always find a partner in the Filipino people, a country ready
to work hand in hand with the Timorese government towards mutual progress, a
nation determined to further advance regional dialogue and positive engagement
in our part of the world,” the President said.
Gusmao arrived in Manila Thursday for a four-day
official visit to the Philippines. While in the country, he is expected to
deliver a talk at the University of the Philippines and visit Subic and Clark
Field for possible business opportunities for his country.
Among those who joined the luncheon include
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes
Sereno, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, senator-elect Cynthia
Villar, Timor-Leste State and Foreign Affairs Cooperation Minister Jose Luis
Gutierrez, Finance Minister Emilia Perez, and Agriculture and Fisheries
Minister Mariano Asanami Sabino. PND (as)
Philippines starts preparations for hosting of
World Economic Forum on East Asia next year
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) The Philippines has
started its preparations for next year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) on East
Asia, a government official said Thursday.
President Aquino, who is expected to arrive here
Friday morning, is attending the closing plenary of the 22nd WEF East Asia
Summit to personally invite the delegates of WEF to the Philippines next year.
“Many of the people who have come to Myanmar,
including myself, are part of the committee that is going to organize our
hosting of World Economic Forum and of APEC,” Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said.
“So we hope to learn some lessons from the
examples here from our counterparts,” Carandang said during an interview with
the members of the Philippine media here.
While the Philippines has yet to finalize the
venue for next year’s WEF East Asia Summit, Secretary Carandang said that
Manila would be the “most convenient” venue for the said forum.
“We haven’t finalized the venue yet for next
year. But logistically, it seems like Manila would be the easiest. Given the
infrastructure that’s already there, given the number of hotel rooms,
convention centers, Manila is logistically the best,” he said.
Carandang said that members of the committee
handling the preparations in next year’s summit are the Department of Finance,
the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the
Office of the Executive Secretary, the Department of Tourism, the Department of
Trade and Investment, the Cabinet secretary, and the National Competitiveness
Council. PND (co)
Aquino to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi during his
visit to Myanmar
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) The meeting between
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi will focus on economic and political reforms that are taking place in the
two countries, an official said.
President Aquino, who is set to arrive here
Friday, will meet with Suu Kyi, chairperson and general secretary of the
National League for Democracy, on the sidelines of his attendance to the 22nd
World Economic Forum on East Asia here.
In an interview with members of the Philippine
media delegation here, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic
Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said that this is the first time for
the two leaders to meet.
“This is going to be the first face-to-face
meeting between the President and Aung San Suu Kyi. As you know, the Aquino
family has long ties with Aung San Suu Kyi,” he said.
Carandang said former President Corazon Aquino,
during her term, was very vocal in supporting Suu Kyi, and when President
Aquino assumed office in June 2010, he was also one of the ASEAN leaders who
was “most vocal in prodding the government of Myanmar towards reform,” he
added.
“The meeting between President Aquino and Aung
San Suu Kyi is really a culmination of all of these efforts between the two
leaders, and the two countries, over the last several decades,” Secretary
Carandang said.
“So it’s only appropriate that the two leaders
known for their commitment to democracy in this region should meet,” he added.
The government of the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar has initiated a series of political and economic reforms, including
allowing Suu Kyi to contest parliamentary by-elections in April 2012.
“It’s a good time for them to meet because our
two countries are now kind of in a spotlight. We have undertaken reforms in the
economic sector. They have undertaken reforms economically and politically. We
are both under the spotlight now of the world,” Carandang said.
“I think both countries understand the need to
move forward some more. So there will be a lot of things for the President to
discuss with Aung San Suu Kyi along those lines,” he added.
Upon arrival here on Friday morning, President
Aquino and Myanmar’s President Thein Sein will hold a bilateral meeting. He
will also meet with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
The President will also join the CEOs and
businessmen in a luncheon meeting to be hosted by the Ayala Corporation. It
will be followed by his attendance to the closing plenary of WEF East Asia
Summit. PND (co)
World Economic Forum in Myanmar a chance for
President Aquino to attract new investments
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno Aquino
III’s visit here and participation in the 22nd World Economic Forum on East
Asia hopes to drum up more investments into the Philippines, Malacanang
official said.
President Aquino will have an opportunity to
address a plenary of WEF East Asia Summit, according to Presidential
Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon
Carandang.
“Remember that our point of coming here is,
ultimately, we want investors to come to the Philippines,” Carandang said in an
interview with members of the Philippine media delegation.
“We want to assure them that there’s money to be
made in the Philippines as investors, and that we look forward to their coming
in and building our infrastructure, investing in our tourism, investing in our
agriculture, creating jobs,” he added.
Carandang said that the Philippines’
participation in events like the 22nd WEF East Asia Summit, and the hosting of
next year’s forum, will help make the country be recognized globally as an
investment haven.
Carandang also expressed hope that President
Aquino’s visit to Myanmar will deepen the interest and eventually lead the two
countries to explore opportunities that will be beneficial for both.
President Aquino will have a bilateral meeting
with Myanmar’s President Thein Sein on the sidelines of the forum. He will also
meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The President will also join the CEOs and
businessmen in a luncheon meeting to be hosted by the Ayala Corporation. PND
(co)
