The Philippines and New Zealand governments have agreed to pursue ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly on trade and investment- specially on the dairy industry, people-to-people ties, and high-level exchanges.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said this was among the issues discussed during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully’s courtesy call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte Tuesday.
Duterte arrived in Auckland Tuesday afternoon for a one-night stop over on his way back to the Philippines after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Peru.
While he does not have formal schedule of bilaterals planned during the overnight trip, Duterte held a one-hour meeting with McCully.
According to Andanar, Duterte and McCully both “conveyed desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly through strengthening trade and investment in key areas- especially dairy industry, people-to-people cooperation, and high-level exchanges.”
“Both sides discussed enhancing agricultural cooperation particularly in the dairy industry, noting that New Zealand is the Philippines’ biggest source of dairy products,” he said, adding that “New Zealand can assist in building the Philippines’ dairy industry.”
Andanar further said that during their meeting, the president recalled his successful meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos in September 2016.
“The President expressed gratitude to New Zealand for hosting more than 44,000 Filipinos and for the assistance given to the victims of typhoons in the Philippines,” he said.
McCully, for his part, noted the vital contributions of Filipinos in New Zealand’s economy, especially in healthcare, dairy and construction industries.
Duterte also expressed sympathy for the victims of the earthquake that struck New Zealand’s South Island this month.
On peace and security, Duterte stated that guarding against the rise of terrorism in Asia-Pacific region should be a shared priority of the two countries. He also shared Philippines’ initiatives in counter-terrorism
Duterte likewise highlighted the importance of the Philippines’ fight against criminality particularly against illegal drugs, emphasizing its vital importance in the country and the rest of the region, as he also warned of its dire consequences if unchecked.
“Both sides exchanged views on domestic and international developments. President Duterte emphasized the importance of maintaining global and regional peace and stability, and avoidance of war as one of his key principles of the Philippines’ independent foreign policy,” said Andanar.
Duterte also thanked the Kiwi government for its welcome and assistance, while McCully expressed wish for the Philippine president to return to New Zealand for a longer visit.
The president is scheduled to depart New Zealand around 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 and is expected to arrive in Davao City before dawn Thursday.
Malacañang earlier denied that the president’s route through New Zealand on his way to Peru and back to the Philippines was specifically arranged to avoid travelling through the US.
“There was no avoidance. We took the route that was most convenient for the president,” Andanar said in a text message to reporters.
The post PH, NZ Agree to Increase Cooperation appeared first on Manila Bulletin.
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