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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte, Suga reaffirm PH-Japan ties in 'productive' phone call

Duterte, Suga reaffirm PH-Japan ties in 'productive' phone call

Published May 19, 2021 09:04 pm

President Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga renewed the strong strategic ties between the Philippines and Japan amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

President Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

In a statement, Malacañang said Duterte and Suga had a "productive" 20-minute phone conversation at the initiative of the Japanese leader.

"Both the President and Prime Minister looked forward to seeing each other in Manila as soon as circumstances allow to renew and reaffirm the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership and valuable ties of friends closer than brothers," the Palace statement read.

"The phone conversation between President Duterte and Prime Minister Suga lasting 20 minutes was warm, engaging and productive," it furthered.

According to Malacañang, President Duterte described Japan as an unrivaled partner for peace and development in Mindanao and thanked Japan’s support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, adding that joint socio-economic development initiatives will benefit peace-loving Mindanaoans.

The President also thanked Prime Minister Suga’s support for the Build, Build, Build program which President Duterte described as a lasting legacy to be remembered for years to come.

For his part, Prime Minister Suga assured Duterte that Japan will continue this key area of partnership with the Philippines, recognizing the latter's assertion that projects such as the first Manila Subway will significantly improve the quality of life and productivity of Filipinos.

Suga was supposed to visit the Philippines this month but he decided to cancel it due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Japan.

He was elected as Japan's new prime minister in September last year following the resignation of his predecessor Abe Shinzo due to health reasons.

Malacañang had expressed readiness to work with the 72-year-old politician to bring the Philippines' relations with Japan to greater heights.

Since becoming president, President Duterte has visited Japan four times. In 2017, Duterte and Abe said both countries have entered their golden age of strategic partnership.

Related Tags

Suga President Duterte Yoshihide Suga PH-Japan ties Rodrigo Duterte Suga Yoshihide Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga Philippine-Japan relations phone conversation Strategic partnership DUTERTE Japan phone call
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