Japanese Prime Minister Abe arrives in Manila
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in
Manila Friday evening for a two-day official visit to the Philippines aimed at
strengthening bilateral relations.
Among the government officials who welcomed Abe
were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Transportation and Communication Secretary
Jose Emilio Abaya and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
The Japanese prime minister arrived at the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at around 9:00 p.m. Friday.
Immediately after his arrival Abe proceeded to
the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City for a reception hosted by the
Philippines-Japan Society.
In his message during the event, Abe said he is
grateful that he was able to once again visit the Philippines after his huge
political victory in Japan. He said he first visited the country six and a half
years ago during his first term as Japan’s leader.
The visiting Japanese leader said he hopes that
with the revival of the Japanese economy Japan could contribute to peace and
stability in the Asian region.
Being both maritime nations, Abe said he
supports the Philippines position in upholding the rule of law in the contested
waters in the region. He said he hopes the Philippines could also contribute to
peace and prosperity of the Asian region by adhering to the guidelines
supported by the international community.
Japan and the Philippines share common values on
democracy, freedom and deep respect to human rights as well as the rule of law
making these the foundations for stronger bilateral relations, he said.
Abe also praised the Philippines for having a
continuously increasing population, noting this is the country’s asset. This is
contrary to Japan’s experience as it faces several concerns because of its
aging society, a country with slowly diminishing succeeding generations of
nation builders.
With regards to the Philippines-Japan Society,
the Japanese prime minister said the organization has been contributing to
stronger bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines adding that
attendees to the occasion will be the bridge between Japan and the Philippines
in future relations.
President Benigno Aquino III welcomed Abe in
Malacanang Saturday to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues, and
ways to further advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and
Japan.
Abe’s stop in the Philippines is the last leg of
his three-Asian-nation tour, after visiting Malaysia and Singapore. PND (as)
Aquino welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Abe in
Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during arrival honors in Malacañang Palace
on Saturday.
A 21-gun salute was rendered in honor of the
Prime Minister during the playing of the national anthems of both countries at
10 a.m. at the Malacañang grounds.
After the arrival ceremonies, the President
ushered Prime Minister Abe to Malacañang Palace for the traditional signing of
the Palace Guest Book.
The visiting Prime Minister arrived in Manila on
Friday for a two-day Official Visit. The Philippines is Prime Minister Abe's
last leg in his 3-nation tour of Southeast Asian neighbors.
Earlier, Abe first went to Rizal Park in Manila
for the wreath-laying rites at the foot of the monument of the national hero,
Dr. Jose Rizal, before proceeding to Malacanang Palace.
Joining the President in welcoming the Prime
Minister were Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar
Purisima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Labor Secretary
Rosalinda Baldoz, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Science
and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, National Economic and Development
Authority Director-General Arsenio M. Balisacan, Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Adviser for Political
Affairs Ronald Llamas, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., Presidential Management Staff head Secretary Julia
Abad, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino,
Commission on Higher Education head Patricia Licuanan, among others.
President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe are
expected to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues, and further
advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan.
Prime Minister Abe visited the Philippines in
December 2006 during his first term as head of the Japanese Government.
In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one
trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as the
second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist
arrivals.
Prime Minister Abe undertook a 3-nation swing in
the southeast that brought him to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. PND
(js)
President Aquino commits to further strengthen relations
with Japan not only to improve economic engagements but also maritime and
security ties
President Benigno S. Aquino III has committed to
further strengthen relations between the Philippines and Japan not only to
improve economic engagements but also maritime and security ties.
In his speech during a joint conference with
Japenese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, following the signing of the expanded
bilateral agreement between the two countries in Malacanang on Saturday, the
President said both countries vowed to actively pursue strategies for growth
and positive engagement.
The Prime Minister's official visit to Manila is
expected to elevate the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership to an even
higher plane of vigor, dynamism and relevance, the President said.
"We reviewed the security challenges that
confront our nations, and pledged to cooperate in advancing our common advocacy
for responsible action from international players. We believe that it can be
done by upholding the rule of law in international affairs, and by finding just
and peaceful solutions to our territorial disputes and maritime concerns—so
that we may create a secure and stable environment that leads to our collective
progress," he said.
Both leaders had agreed to strengthen maritime
cooperation, which is a pillar of our strategic partnership.
"We thank the Japanese Government for
helping enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard by building
multi-role response vessels and by providing communication systems for their use,"
he said.
Under the expanded bilateral agreement, Aquino
said both leaders agreed to strengthen their bilateral policy dialogues, and to
continue high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges.
The President welcomed the Japanese Government’s
decision to encourage more Filipino tourists to visit Japan by allowing
multiple-entry visas, and the expansion of the Japan-East Asia Network of
Exchange for Students and Youth program.
He said the Japanese move paves the way for the
students of both countries to cultivate friendships and deepen their
appreciation for their respective cultures and societies.
"On the economic front, I congratulated the
Prime Minister for the economic gains that Japan enjoys at present. This
revival is the result of the Japanese government’s resolve to efficiently
manage the economy by improving productivity and increasing the participation
of citizens, particularly women, in the labor force. This growth is a positive
sign for the global economy and for the Filipino people," the President
said.
In 2012, Japan was the number one trade partner
of the Philippines and provider of official development assistance, as well as
the second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist
arrivals.
"After all, Japan is the Philippines’ top
trading partner, in 2012, our total bilateral trade amounted to 16.35 billion
dollars. Japan remains our largest source of development assistance, and our
country’s second largest source of approved investments, which in the previous
year amounted to more than 69 billion pesos. Japan is also our third largest
source of tourists, as 412,474 Japanese nationals visited our shores last
year," he said.
Aquino said the Philippines will continue to
initiate reforms to make the country a stable investment destination.
"Inclusiveness and the adherence to sound
policy fundamentals are the same principles that have paved the way for the
resurgence of our own economy. During our discussions, I underscored the
commitment of my administration to meaningful reform, which is essential in
nurturing an attractive and stable investment climate," the President
said.
The President, likewise, thanked Prime Minister
Abe for Japan’s commitment to Philippine development, and for extending assistance
in critical areas such as infrastructure development, transportation,
connectivity, and disaster preparedness and response.
During the press conference, the Prime Minister
presented to Aquino the technical assistance provided by the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) in developing a Transport Roadmap Study for Metro
Manila and its Surrounding Areas.
"I also expressed appreciation for Japan’s
positive response to our request for a Post Disaster Stand-by Loan through the
Stand-by Emergency Credit for Urgent Recovery. I also thanked the Prime
Minister for the positive indication from his government with respect to
improvements in the Philippines’ aviation safety standards; we look forward to
productive discussions for our air services," he said. PND (js)
President Aquino announces intention to attend
Commemorative Summit in Tokyo in December this year
President Benigno S. Aquino III announced his
intention to attend the Commemorative Summit in Tokyo in December, marking the
40th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo this coming
December.
"As I have told the Prime Minister, I look
forward to the Commemorative Summit in Tokyo in December, as we mark the 40th
year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation," the Chief Executive said
in his speech during a joint conference with His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime
Minister of Japan, in Malacanang on Saturday.
"The relationship between Japan and ASEAN
serves as a cornerstone of harmony and dialogue in our part of the world,"
Aquino said.
ASEAN and Japan's cooperative partnership began
in 1973 with the establishment of ASEAN-Japan forum on synthetic rubber.
Through the years, ASEAN and Japan have forged close cooperation towards peace,
stability, development and prosperity in Asia.
The ASEAN and Japan have established close
business partnership with total bilateral trade amounting to 248 billion US
dollars in 2011. ASEAN member-states are major foreign direct investment
destinations for Japanese enterprises.
"Your Excellency (Prime Minister Abe), your
presence today reaffirms our shared commitment to deepen our relations, foster
cooperation, and more importantly build a more peaceful and more secure Asia
Pacific region. It is by treading the path to progress and peace that we can
bring about meaningful change for our peoples," he said. PND (js)
Japanese Prime Minister Abe underscores
strenghtening friendly ties with the country
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recalled
Saturday that his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, was the
first prime minister to visit the Philippines in 1957.
“[A]nd ever since then, both Japan and the
Philippines have continued to foster friendship,” Abe noted in a toast during
the official luncheon hosted by the President in his honor on the occasion of
his Official Visit, the second since 2006, during his first term as head of the
Japanese government.
Prime Minister Abe also thanked President Aquino
for a warm welcome and lauded “the excellent Philippine economy.”
For his part, President Aquino assured Prime
Minister Abe that the Philippines is committed to further strengthen its
relationship with Japan.
“Mr. Prime Minister, the relations between our
countries have been extensive and historic. After overcoming conflict, we have
developed both a strong alliance and a deep friendship,” the President said.
President Aquino recalled that Japan was one of
the first countries to support his mother’s government after the 1986 EDSA
People Power Revolution, and that one of the first countries that his mother
visited as president was Japan.
“Now, our relations have only grown stronger on
the foundation of our shared beliefs in democracy and in the rule of law,” he
said.
The president further underscored that Japan is
one of the Philippines’ strategic partners.
“Moving forward, the Philippines fully intends
to deepen our relationship with Japan so that we may bequeath to younger
generations a legacy of prosperity, peace and productive solidarity between our
countries,” he said.
“So long as we stand alongside one another and
build further on our long friendship, then certainly, we can move closer to
realizing our common aspiration of a peaceful and prosperous Asia Pacific
Region,” he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe is in Manila for an
official visit. It is his second visit to the Philippines as Prime Minister.
President Aquino welcomed the Japanese Prime Minister on Saturday at 10 a.m. in
Malacanang after the wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila. PND
(co)
