Foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and dialogue partners paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, August 8, at the Philippine International Convention Center with the President thanking them for their valuable contributions to the region.
During his meeting with the ASEAN foreign ministers, the President expressed his gratitude for their efforts adding he appreciates the importance of their opinions and views on regional issues.
Underscoring One ASEAN, the President said the bloc's collective decision must be for the benefit of all.
In another courtesy call, the President received non-ASEAN foreign ministers and thanked them for their cooperation with ASEAN.
He said he is happy with their presence in the country noting they can count on the Philippines for cooperation.
The non-ASEAN diplomats were from Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, Russia, Mongolia, Switzerland and Timor Leste.
The President also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in a separate courtesy call tackling regional issues such as terrorism.
Accompanying the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
The ASEAN Philippines 2017 has a theme " Partnering for Change, Engaging the World". The country's hosting this year also coincides with the regional grouping's 50th founding anniversary.###PND
