President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed Vietnam’s Ambassador, Lai Thai Binh, expressing optimism for enhanced bilateral relations between the two neighboring nations.
The President highlighted the timely arrival of Ambassador Lai, aligning with planned initiatives, and expressed satisfaction with the received letter of credence.
During the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Lai conveyed warm greetings from Vietnam’s leader, expressing eagerness for President Marcos’s guidance in strengthening bilateral relations. Lai underscored Vietnam’s commitment to international principles.
President Marcos emphasized collaboration potential, referencing discussions with the Vietnamese Prime Minister during ASEAN gatherings.
“And I think that there are many, many more things that your PM and I have discussed for many hours during our ASEAN meetings. We have many areas that we can explore. For that, I look forward to doing that,” the President said.
On the same day, President Marcos also met with Ambassador Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva of Timor-Leste to the Philippines, accepting his letter of credence on January 2 at Malacañan Palace.
Expressing great pleasure, President Marcos noted the significant moment, emphasizing the growing partnership between the two nations through bilateral and multilateral relationships.
“It is a great deal of pleasure that we are here to accept your letters of credence and to welcome you to the Philippines as ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Republic of the Philippines,” Mr. Marcos said.
“This is indicative of the growing partnership that your country and mine through our bilateral relationships, together with the multilateral relationships, have progressed in the last few years,” he added.
The meeting follows President Marcos’s engagement with President José Ramos-Horta in November 2023 during the Timorese leader’s State Visit. President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s development through “South-South Cooperation.”