President Marcos has met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed opportunities to further deepen the Philippines-UAE ties.
During their meeting held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, both leaders discussed "vital fields" in the relationship of the two countries such as economy, trade, and sustainability.
The UAE President shared on his X account his meeting with Marcos, who is in UAE for a one-day working visit.
"Today I welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Abu Dhabi to discuss opportunities to further deepen cooperation between the UAE and the Philippines across vital fields, including economy, trade, and sustainability," the UAE President said as he shared a photo of them.
"As our countries celebrate 50 years of friendship and collaboration, we remain committed to bolstering ties and bringing lasting benefit to our peoples," he added.
Malacañang said Marcos expressed his gratitude to President Al Nahyan for UAE’s assistance in several matters, including the arrest and turnover of a sex trafficker to the Philippine authorities and the training and support for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The President also thanked the UAE for pardoning 143 Filipinos during this year’s Eid al-Adha and for its humanitarian aid to victims of recent flooding in the Philippines.
Marcos flew to the UAE on Monday evening. He was accompanied only by a lean delegation that includes First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maroa Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)Chairman Victorino Manalo, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Charles Jose, and former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benjamin Abalos.
According to Malacañang, Loyzaga was part of the delegation to lead the discussions on preventing leakage of plastic waste into the ocean while Manalo will lead the signing of a cultural cooperation agreement.
Jose accompanied Marcos in his call on the UAE President. Abalos, for his part, was part of the delegation to accompany Marcos as he has close ties with UAE Royal Family.
The Philippines and the UAE established diplomatic relations on Aug. 19, 1974. They are marking this year the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
Almost 700,000 Filipinos are working or staying in the UAE, contributing to the Gulf state’s development.