Marcos wants deeper ties with UAE

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed his intention to deepen ties with the United Arab Emirates as many Filipinos are working there.

Marcos made this assertion during the courtesy call of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE at the Malacañang Palace. He also thanked the UAE government for its aid and kindness to the Philippines especially during times of crisis.

''We owe you many expressions of gratitude for all the assistance and the kindness that UAE has extended to the Philippines and the Filipinos. And I hope that we are able to reciprocate somehow because we are very grateful for the assistance that you have done in terms of our, when there are crisis in the Philippines and then, especially to our Filipino nationals who are working in the Emirates,'' Marcos said.

There are an estimated 700,000 Filipinos living and working in the Middle Eastern country, with around 450,000 residing in Dubai.

''So, I hope we'll be able to extend that relationship further and make it deeper,'' the President added.

In response, Zayed Al Nahyan said he was honored to be back in the Philippines and that UAE is looking forward to having a ''better'' relationship with the country when it comes to trade.

''Our relationship is growing, but not enough. We could do much better. It could be much better because I think we have an interest to further enhance it. But also the Philippines has shown that it’s been welcoming investors, we would like to do more trade, we are on the path to finalize and sit down with the Philippines,'' he said.

''And finally, I would say Sir when the Emiratis... when they come to the Philippines they never feel leaving UAE. You really make them feel at home,'' he added.

The Philippines and the UAE established diplomatic relations on August 19, 1974.

The UAE and the Philippines are key partners in peace efforts, development, combating climate change, among other fields. The Emirates also gives considerable attention to assisting the development programs of the Philippine government, especially those associated with the peace process. —RF, GMA Integrated News