PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked about the Philippines and Japan's cooperation on peace and infrastructure during their bilateral meeting in Singapore, Malacañang said on Friday, November 16.
After the closing ceremony of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related summits in Singapore on Thursday, November 15, Duterte congratulated Abe on his reelection as leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic for another three years.
Abe, in turn, thanked Duterte for the Philippine leader's "kind words," and expressed hope that the two nations will further improve relations, especially in the areas of peace and infrastructure development.
"Now that I have another opportunity to continue working with you..., it is a great pleasure for me," the Japanese Prime Minister told Duterte.
"I look forward to having a productive discussion with you on strengthening Japan-Philippines cooperation in the area of consolidation of peace, as well as infrastructure development," he added.
Since he assumed office in 2017, Duterte had held several dialogues with Abe. The past meetings of the two leaders had led to improved trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Japan.
In January 2017, Japan vowed to grant the Duterte government some ¥1 trillion in aid and investments over the next five years to help the Philippines create business opportunities through official development assistance and private sector investments.
During the bilateral meeting, Abe also extended Japan's condolences over the recent natural calamities that struck the Philippines.
"I once again would like to express my condolences for your loss, as well as those who lost their lives in the multiple typhoon disasters in the Philippines," Abe said.
Duterte expressed gratitude for the Japanese government's assistance to the Philippines.
Prior to their meeting, Duterte said he wanted to discuss with Abe issues of "mutual interest" such as the completion of a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea, trade and commerce, and the developments in the Korean peninsula. (SunStar Philippines)