MANILA, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III accepted the credentials of the two new ambassadors to the Philippines from the countries of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Mexico during a simple ceremony at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.
At 10:30 a.m., the President first met with Asif Anwar Ahmad, who presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The new United Kingdom envoy was accompanied by Trevor James Lewis, deputy head of mission; Stephen Lysaght, head of political section; Brendan Gill, British embassy consul; and April Gonzalez Cheng, local staff association of the British Embassy.
President Aquino, on the other hand, was joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario in welcoming the new ambassador and his party.
In presenting his credentials, Ambassador Ahmad thanked President Aquino for welcoming him to the country and assured of British commitment to further enhance the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
The President and Secretary Del Rosario then ushered the Ambassador and his party to the adjoining room for a closed-door meeting.
Following the meeting, the President then welcomed His Excellency Julio Camarena Villaseñor as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States also at the Music Room at 11 a.m.
Ambassador Villaseñor was accompanied by Mexico Deputy Chief of Mission Chris Clay Mendoza.
Secretary del Rosario, meanwhile, was joined by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta and other DFA officials.
The new Mexican envoy also expressed his gratitude to the President for the warm welcome and also made a commitment to further strengthen his country’s bilateral ties with the Philippines.
President Aquino also had a closed-door meeting with Ambassador Villaseñor.