MANILA – President Benigno Aquino arrived in Spain on Sunday as part of his eight-day European visit and Manila said the government is spending around P31.9 million for his working visit to include Belgium, France and Germany.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Aquino’s visit aims to bolster diplomatic and trade relations with Europe and the European Union (EU),
Aquino is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria, Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III and Undersecretary Rochelle Ahorro.
“Our Chief Executive is expected to meet government and business leaders in Madrid, Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, as well as members of the Filipino communities there,” Ochoa said. “We anticipate having stronger friendship and trade relations with Europe and the EU after this trip of the President.”
In Madrid, Aquino met with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and His Majesty King Felipe VI to convey the Philippines’ gratitude for keeping the country in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) program. Aquino will also visit and offer flowers at the Rizal Monument in the Spanish capital.
In Belgium, President Aquino will meet with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, His Majesty King Philippe and Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the EU is the Philippines’ primary source of foreign direct investments and is considered one of the major sources of tourists for the country.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Zeneida Collinson said that one of the high points in Aquino’s working visit in Belgium is the policy speech he will deliver at the Egmont Institute to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Philippines-European relations.
In Paris, Aquino is set to discuss bilateral issues with President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls, deliver a policy speech at an event organized by the French Institute for International Relations and witness the signing of the Philippines-France Defense Cooperation Agreement.
In Berlin, he will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Joachim Gauck and among the issues they expect to discuss are maritime cooperation, hiring of Filipino nurses, and technical and vocational education and training between the Philippines and Germany.
Aquino is likewise scheduled to deliver a major speech at a forum organized by the Körber-Stiftung and the Asia Pacific Association in Germany.
In all four countries, Aquino will meet Filipino communities.
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