LOOK: Duterte welcomes seven new envoys to PH

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte received the credentials of the ambassadors-designate of India, Chile, Hungary, Russia, Pakistan, Finland, and Egypt during a virtual ceremony in Malacañang Wednesday, hoping for a stronger cooperation with the countries in areas of trade, education, counter-terrorism and healthcare.

Among those who virtually presented their credentials to the President include Ambassadors Shambhu Santha Kumaran, Republic of India; Claudio Rojas Rachel, Republic of Chile; Dr. Titanilla Tóth, Hungary; Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov, Russian Federation; Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Juha Markus Pyykkö, Republic of Finland; and Ahmed Shehabeldin Ibrahim Abdullah, Arab Republic of Egypt.

In receiving the credentials of Pavlov, Duterte said the Philippine government considers Russia a good friend and partner having strengthened cooperation over the years in defense and security, health, science and technology, and economy.

“We aim for an even more robust and deeper cooperation in the coming years. We thank Russia for its offer to supply Sputnik V and share its technology on vaccine production with the Philippines,” he said.

The Chief Executive also reiterated his invitation for President Vladimir Putin to visit the Philippines next year as the two countries mark their 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

In welcoming Kumaran, Duterte said the Indian-Philippine relation was driven by synergies between his administration’s Independent Foreign Policy and India’s Act East Policy.

He said he also looks forward this year to honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who invited him to visit India, even as they plan for a virtual summit.

“The Philippines is committed to further enhance cooperation with India in defense, security, trade and investments, and in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic,” the President told the ambassador.

Responding to Tóth who promised to strengthen relations between the Philippines and Hungary and enhance mutual beneficial cooperation in trade, water management, education and cultural activities, Duterte thanked her government for supporting the Philippines in the multilateral fora in line with his government’s policy of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries.

He also welcomed Hungary’s financial cooperation proposal to facilitate expanded collaboration on water management and other areas and expressed his gratitude to its scholarship program for Filipino students pursuing advanced degrees.

Addressing the Finnish ambassador, Duterte said the Philippines welcomes Finland’s decision to re-open its embassy in Manila this year.

“We look forward to enhancing our bilateral cooperation on various areas of mutual interest. We are particularly interested in expanding ties, particularly in ICT, renewable energy, and clean technology,” the President added, noting Finland’s support for the peace processes through the years.

Welcoming the Pakistani ambassador, the Chief Executive recognized the friendly ties between the Philippines and Pakistan spanning over seven decades.

He also extended an invitation for military-to-military exchanges and sharing of intelligence and best practices, particularly in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Also welcomed by the President was Rachel, saying that he looks forward to further enhancing cooperation with Chile particularly in trade and investments, disaster risk management, agriculture, geothermal energy, tourism, and culture.

Duterte also thanked Chile for the hospitality it extended to Filipinos in the Latin American country and for the assistance in the repatriation of stranded Filipino seafarers during the pandemic The Philippines and Chile will celebrate next year 75 years of friendly ties.

In accepting the credentials of Shehabeldin, the President expressed hope to further build stronger cooperation with the Arab country in trade, agriculture, and cultural exchanges as well as in security and combatting terrorism and violent extremism.