PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday received a warm welcome from New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Mccully, who paid him a visit when he made a brief stop in the said country before returning to the Philippines.
In a statement sent to reporters, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte and Mccully both expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand.
Andanar said the two wished to particularly boost trade and investment in key areas, especially in dairy industry, people-to-people cooperation, and high-level exchanges.
Duterte and Mccully had also exchanged views on domestic and international issues, the President's communications chief said.
"[Duterte] emphasized the importance of maintaining global and regional peace and stability, and avoidance of war as one of his key principles of Philippines' independent foreign policy," Andanar said.
Andanar said Duterte had discussed with Mccully his administration's crackdown on illegal drugs, stressing its vital importance in the Philippines and issuing a warning of its dire consequences if not addressed.
He said the President also noted that fight against terrorism in Asia-Pacific region should be a "shared priority of the two countries."
Duterte, Andanar said, also thanked New Zealand for accommodating over 44,000 Filipinos residing there, as well as for giving assistance to the typhoon victims in the Philippines.
Duterte made a stop over in New Zealand after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summits in Lima, Peru.
In an exclusive interview with The New Zealand Herald, Mccully was quoted as saying that Duterte was a "tough guy but was warm, courteous and actually quite charming."
"He's a very engaging character and it's not difficult to discuss sensitive issues with him. He is very happy to engage on those issues," Mccully said. (Sunnex)