Marcos to have at least two bilateral meetings on sidelines of ASEAN Summits

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will have at least two bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Cambodia next week.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Nathaniel Imperial, Marcos will have bilateral meetings with his Cambodia and the Republic of Korea counterparts.

Other possible bilateral meetings are still being finalized, Imperial added.

"As you know, many world leaders and regional leaders will be present during the ASEAN meetings so it's a great opportunity for our President to meet bilaterally with his counterparts," Imperial said.

"So far, we're still finalizing the bilateral meetings that will be conducted by the President but I think it will be safe to say that the first one will be with the host government, with Cambodia."

Imperial added that the President was scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen as a matter of courtesy. It would be their first meeting, and the first meeting as the new President of the Philippines.

"We also expect a bilateral meeting between the President and the Korean President. As you know, the Republic of Korea is a key partner of the Philippines, economically, in terms of defense and security, and also in terms of tourism and we have a multi-faceted relationship with the Republic of Korea," said Imperial.

"So it's very important that they discuss current and pending issues between our two countries and the opportunities we can pursue with the Republic of Korea."

Imperial said the Philippines and Korea would probably discuss the conclusion of their free trade agreement.

"Korea is only the second country with which we will be concluding a free trade agreement after Japan. Aside from that, we have a very robust defense and security cooperation as you well know," said the DFA assistant secretary.

Marcos is set to travel to Cambodia to attend the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits scheduled from November 10 to 13. The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the heads of state and government of ASEAN member states.

The Philippines' commencement date with ASEAN was on August 8, 1967.

The ASEAN is pushing to accelerate the economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

It also aims to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

According to Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Plus Three summit, and the ASEAN Leaders Meeting with the UN Secretary-General will be held concurrently.

"These related summits will review the existing and new areas of cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. The dialogue partners include Australia, Canada, China, India, Republic of Korea, and the USA," Garafil said. 

Garafil said the President would also meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia. 

"He will update them on the programs and policies of his administration, especially on the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of OFWs," she said. 

Marcos will be accompanied by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of Trade and Industry, and the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development although the delegation list is still being finalized, according to Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu of the Office of the ASEAN Affairs. 

"Why these three? Because they form the three pillars of the ASEAN. The  Secretary of Foreign Affairs is for the political security pillar, the Secretary of Trade for the economic pillar, and the DSWD Secretary for the socio-cultural pillar," Espiritu said. 

"But at the same time, it's up to the President to decide who [else] to bring with him, especially on issues that may be relevant to these other Cabinet secretaries," he added. 

APEC

After Marcos' participation in the ASEAN summits, he will attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Thailand on November 18-19. 

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said APEC deals with trade and investment, energy cooperation, marine resources, telecommunications, and human resource development. 

"Immediately after will be APEC in the same month of November where the President, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of Trade and Industry will participate in the leaders' week in Bangkok. This will be the first meeting of the President and his administration. It will be significant because we are a founding member of APEC," she said. — DVM/VBL, GMA Integrated News