Duterte welcomes Abe to Palace  

January 12, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he interacts with the pupils waving the Japan and

Philippine Flags before entering the Malacañan Palace on January 12, 2017.  Presidential Photo

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Malacanang on Thursday as both heads of state looked forward to a productive discussion.

Abe arrived at 2:40 pm at the NAIA Terminal 3, where he was met by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr and other officials. The convoy left at3:12 pm and arrived in Malacanang at 3:32 pm, police said.

“This is the very first official visit of a head of state. We are pleased and honored to host you and your official delegation from Japan,” Duterte said in his opening statement before their summit meeting

“I look forward to a more productive meeting today. We have the opportunity  to take stock following my official visit to  Tokyo  on  October 2016,” said Duterte.

Abe said:” This is a tremendous honor to be invited as the very first foreign leader under your administration.”

“ I chose Manila as my first destination and that is a testament to my primary emphasis on our bilateral relationship with the Philippines,” he added.

Abe said he is “ready to fully support” the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN.

“And together with you, I am committed to elevating our bilateral relationship to a higher ground covering a wide range of areas,” Abe added.

A summit meeting between Abe and  Duterte  followed. Agreements on transportation, agriculture cooperation and financing are expected to be signed on 4:25 pm. DMS