INCOMING President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. is hoping to promote better and stronger bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Japan and raise to a higher level all aspects of relationship between the two countries.
Marcos raised the possibility following a 15-minute telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who called him on Friday to personally convey his congratulations.
“I thank Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for his warm congratulatory message via a phone call this morning. We were able to have a preliminary discussion about Japan-Philippines partnership, which I said is very important and has been one of mutual benefit to our two countries,” he said.
Marcos added that he expressed hope of not only continuing but also increasing all engagements in every aspect of relations between the two countries.
Shortly after their talk, a statement posted on the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that Kishida assured Marcos that Japan has every intention of continuing the cooperation and official development assistance to the Philippines.
They intend to do this through the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation and Infrastructure and the Ministerial Meeting on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Japan has been assisting the Philippines on various levels such as in economic front that includes infrastructure development including railway and Subic Bay Development and in security aspects that include maritime, and law enforcement.
“I told him that I would like to deepen the cooperation in a wide range of fields in the future and we agreed to work together to strengthen it,” Marcos said.
The President-elect further disclosed that they also exchanged views on current regional developments and both of them have committed to work together for peace and prosperity in the region.
He added they also agreed to meet face-to-face as soon as possible and engage in a deeper dialogue.
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