The Philippines is committed to bolstering relations with Saudi Arabia, an assurance made by President Marcos to its outgoing envoy to Manila, Ambassador Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani.
Marcos believed that the relations between the two countries “will continue,” thanks to the "productive time" that the ambassador made in the country during his posting.“
"We keep going and we have begun many things as well just during my time here as President,” Marcos said during Alqahtani’s farewell call in Malacañang.
“So we would like to continue and make even deeper and more involved together with the kingdom and hopefully we can expand on all of the things that we’re already doing. This is all happened under your watch,” he added.
Marcos said his discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and the other officials tackled some of the most important matters. He stressed the “very good partnership” created between the two countries.
He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s position in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which, he said, was helpful for the peace effort in Mindanao.
“We are now getting closer and closer to actually having an autonomous region with elective parliament members. And (we’re) working very hard to make sure that it will be a successful effort," Marcos said.
"It’s so important now that we do that. But again, not just the OIC but also Saudi Arabia has been so supportive of everything that we have been trying to do," he added.
Alqahtani also expressed his gratitude to the President for meeting him prior to his departure.He also acknowledged that Filipinos became an important part of Saudi Arabia’s development especially in the last 40 years until now.
“We will not forget them. The development there in Saudi Arabia came with the Philippines also. It’s a common relation, common interest together with the Philippines," he said.