Duterte, Palau president renew commitment to enhance ties

February 16, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte and Palau President Tommy Remengesau have agreed to further expand ties in education, maritime security, anti-narcotics, and trade and investments.

Duterte welcomed Remengesau in Davao City on Thursday.

"Both sides renewed the commitment to enhance and expand cooperation, particularly in education, maritime security and delimitation, agriculture and aquaculture, counternarcotics, connectivity, medical tourism and trade and investments," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Friday.

To improve cooperation, the two leaders instructed their respective senior officials to move discussions forward on those matters in the "relevant bilateral mechanism," he said.

He said both sides reaffirmed the importance of the friendship between the two countries, citing cultural ties, similar histories and shared challenges.

Duterte and Remengesau have been looking forward to an exchange of formal visits, Roque added.

This July will be the 21st anniversary of diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Palau. Celerina Monte/DMS