Marcos thanks Papua New Guinea envoy for strengthening ties with PH

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the ambassador of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for her efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between her country and the Philippines.

"This is one of those duties that are bittersweet because we say goodbye to friends. You have stayed in the Philippines in relatively long [period] ambassador, five years," Marcos told Papua New Guinean Ambassador to the Philippines Betty Palaso during her courtesy call.

Marcos said he expects Palaso's successor to continue working on various areas of cooperation, including trade, agriculture, and fisheries.

Palaso presented her Letter of Credence on March 19, 2019, as PNG's ambassador to the Philippines. Prior to her appointment, she served as Commissioner General of the PNG Internal Revenue Commission from 2007 to 2018.

In 1975, the Philippines was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with PNG, which was declared and recognized as a sovereign nation on September 16, 1975 after 70 years of Australian administration.

The two nations will mark next year the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. — VDV, GMA Integrated News