MANILA - British Minister of State Hugo Swire is arriving in Manila today, December 10, for a two-day visit in efforts to boost the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the British embassy here said in a news release.
Swire is keen at seeing the Philippines’ progress in its anti-corruption efforts, as well as in improving its economy.
He also reiterated UK’s strong support of the Framework Agreement on Mindanao.
“I’m delighted to visit at an exciting time. We enjoy many shared values and are keen to work with the Philippines in boosting the prosperity of both our countries,” Swire said.
“This visit reinforces the growing importance we attach to the Philippines as a key emerging power,” he added.
British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said Swire will call on President Benigno Aquino III and sign a Joint Plan of Action and Air Services Agreement with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
Swire will also meet with Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima in addition to speaking about bilateral trade and investment opportunities at a joint luncheon with the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine-British Business Council, and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
This is Swire’s first official trip to the Philippines, which forms part of a Southeast Asia tour that includes Brunei and Burma. Promotion of bilateral trade and investment will be the core strand of the tour, with peace and security as other key themes.
Swire’s visit rounds off a great year in UK-Philippines relations which included President Aquino’s trip to London in June, Ambassador Lillie said.
“We are looking forward to building on that in the coming year, using the Joint Plan of Action to lift relations to a new level across a whole range of issues, from business links to political cooperation and further work on peace building in Mindanao,” he said.
source: interaksyon.com
