By Brian Campued
Cambodia and Thailand have conveyed their support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.
During a press briefing on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received support from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in separate bilateral talks.
Marcos likewise reaffirmed the Philippine government’s support for the peaceful resolution of the Thai-Cambodian conflict through dialogue and adherence to international law, particularly the signing of the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Observer Team.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Charnvirakul, the President conveyed his condolences to the Thai people on the passing of former Queen Sirikit.
“Ang dalawang bansa din po ay pinag-usapan at gustong palawigin pa po ang usapin tungkol sa tourism, trade, and investment,” Castro said, adding that both leaders expressed interest in increasing engagements with the private sector and agricultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, the President’s bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney focused on strengthening people-to-people exchanges as well as boosting cooperation between Manila and Ottawa in areas such as trade, investment, and energy.
Marcos also thanked Canada for its support for upholding shared values in international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Sinusuportahan lang po ‘yung naging desisyon patungkol sa ating karapatan, maritime rights, at dahil ito naman po ay base sa international law,” Castro emphasized.
Other leaders the Chief Executive met on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit were Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and European Council President Antonio Costa.
-av
