MANILA, (PNA) — A palace spokesperson sees a very fruitful meeting between Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and United States President Barack Obama, who will conduct his first ever visit to the Philippines next month.
In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said preparations are in full swing and underway for the visit of President Obama who is expected to arrive for a two-day visit from October 11 to 12.
“Well, patuloy ‘yung preparations for the Obama visit. We expect him to arrive on the 11th (of October) pagkatapos po ng mga summit ng ASEAN at APEC na dadaluhan din ni Pangulong Aquino. And we’re hoping that this visit will be very fruitful in strengthening our relations sa United States,” Carandang said.
“Our relations with the United States, hindi lang naman defense ‘yon, ano, we have economic, cultural, historical ties. At, with the pivot of the United States dito sa East Asia, mas lalong tumitibay ang samahan natin sa Estados Unidos,” he added.
He said that aside from discussing bilateral agreements on defense and trade, other talks will also center on political and regional issues.
“Well, maraming pag-uusapan, ano. Pag-uusapan, of course, ‘yung defense cooperation, ‘yung rotational presence; pag-uusapan din natin ang ilang mga bagay sa kalakalan sa international scene, so lahat po ng mga… Marami pong trade and economic and political and regional issues ang pag-uusapan,” Carandang said.