President Marcos has emphasized the "very strong level" of political and diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Indonesia during his meeting with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Friday, Sept. 20.
Marcos and Subianto met at the Malacañan Palace during the latter's courtesy call on Friday afternoon.
In his remark, Marcos said the Indonesian leader's visit to Manila signifies the stronger and deeper relationship of both countries.
"Well it is a great pleasure to be able to welcome you, Your Excellency, Mr. President-elect Prawobo, to Manila on your visit as President-elect. And I think it bodes well for our two countries that you have come to visit with the Philippines and shows that the growing relationship between our two countries has been at a very strong level for many many years and many many aspects of the people-to-people, on the political, on the diplomatic," Marcos told Subianto.
"We are about to celebrate our 75th year of relations this November and I think your visit here today will certainly bring a new impetus to making that relationship between Indonesia and the Philippines stronger and deeper," Marcos added.
Subianto, for his part, vowed to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The Indonesian leader said his visit aims "to reconfirm my commitment to strengthen the close relationship that we have traditionally between the Philippines and Indonesia."
"We have common roots, cultural, historical, and by the fact that we are very close neighbors, it behooves us, I think, to always support each other and to work together closely in all fields," he said.
Subianto will officially assume the presidency on October 20.
"I came here today to pay my respects because exactly one month from now, on the 20th of October, God willing, I will be inaugurated as President of the Republic of Indonesia," he told Marcos.
"And perhaps it’s the Asian way, our custom, before we enter into a new position. We call on our friends," he added.