Marcos says Philippines, Ethiopia should work on air linkages

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the Philippines and Ethiopia should establish air linkages to strengthen their bilateral relations.

Marcos said this as he accepted the credentials of Ethiopian Ambassador Dessie Dalkie Dukamo in Malacañang on Tuesday.

"Let’s work on that. Let that be the first job that we give ourselves. We make that connection easier. I think it’s never a bad thing to start with people-to-people relations that are always so important,” Marcos said in a press release issued Wednesday.

“Sometimes I say that foreign diplomacy is best conducted by ordinary people rather than diplomats. Which I’m sure you're happy about. Because we are proud of our citizens. They are all good ambassadors for our country. Any good contact for us is necessarily a good thing," he added.

Marcos also said the Philippines should seize the opportunity of forging a stronger partnership with Ethiopia as Africa positions itself as an emerging major economy.

“I think the whole world is very excited about — how most of Africa is positioned in terms of — now coming and emerging… as major economy, as they already are,” Marcos said.

He noted that the Philippines and Ethiopia could explore many areas such as trade, transfer of technology and other exchanges.

For his part, Dukamo said Ethiopia could look at the Philippines development trajectory.

“We know how the Philippines is growing from traditional agriculture to services and manufacturing industry, especially in the area of technical and vocational training. The way how the Philippines makes its people…skilled and dedicated and productive,” Dukamo said.

Dukamo also lauded the Filipino workers for their dedication, hard work and discipline.

“We know well the Philippines through its workers. We are so grateful and we can share a lot in the area of trade and industry. From the fastest growing economy, we can share a lot. Ethiopia is also now growing larger, step by step (becoming) a large country and the largest economy in East Africa with huge potential in trade and investment," he said.

The Philippines and Ethiopia formally established diplomatic relations on February 7, 1977, and are celebrating 46 years of diplomatic relations this year. —KG, GMA Integrated News