Ailyn Agonia
Doha
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his interest in seeking greater political security cooperation and collaboration in the fields of health and culture during his state visit to Qatar slated from April 14 to 16.
During his pre-departure statement for his Middle East state visit addressed in his hometown Davao City on Monday, the Filipino leader underscored the importance of enforcing Philippine-Middle East ties and the impact of his first dialogue with the head of states of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar in forging deeper and more positive bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Middle East.
"There is much at stake in the Philippines' relations with the Middle East. It is the global centre of traditional energy resources. It is a source of investments with potential of much growth. It is an expanding market for Philippine key political products and services and its home to the largest group of Filipinos working overseas."
"Following Bahrain I shall proceed to Doha where I will meet the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. The third leg of my trip will be no less engaging. There is always much to explore to make the bilateral relations even more vibrant as they are. We will seek greater political security cooperation and collaboration in the fields of health and culture. It is on top of the agenda spurring trade and investments," Duterte said.
He also expressed eagerness to exchange views with the leaders of the three Middle East countries he will be visiting on regional security issues, promotion of intercultural dialogues and the efforts of the Philippines at community building in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Duterte, who had a spectacular victory in the national elections last year, also expressed his excitement in meeting the Filipino communities in the three Middle East countries. In Doha, he will be gracing a community gathering being organised by the Philippine Embassy Doha in collaboration with the United Filipino Organizations in Qatar (UFOQ) scheduled on April 15 at the Lusail Sports Arena. Around 6,000 people are expected to attend the event.
"While in the Middle East, I will meet the Filipino community. I am excited to meet them and thank them for their support to our efforts to bring reform and change in our country," Duterte said.