PH putting its best foot forward in ASEAN Summit next month
Malacañang is gearing up for the Philippines’ hosting of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next month, mindful of putting its best foot forward as more than a dozen world leaders are expected to participate in critical discussions on wide-ranging issues in the region.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said, they have been long preparing for the 31st ASEAN Summit, especially since this
marks the 50th year of the regional organization.
Anticipation is also building up for the first-ever meeting between President Duterte and United States President Donald Trump – the two new leaders of long-time allies the Philippines and the US.
“We’ll put our best foot forward sapagka’t hindi lang po iyong mga ASEAN leaders or iyong other nine heads of state ang dadalaw sa atin (because it is not only the ASEAN leaders or the other nine heads of state who will visit the country),” Andanar said in an interview over DZMM radio yesterday.
“But the rest of the population can be rest assured that we are doing everything to have a very smooth and successful summit this coming November,” he added.
“And we are very excited of course, [dahil] lahat gustong makita ng magusap si Presidente Duterte at si Presidente Donald Trump (because everybody is waiting for the meeting of President Duterte and President Trump),” Andanar said.
It was earlier reported that aside from the other nine ASEAN heads of state and Trump; it is also expected that Russia, China, Japan, and South Korea, Australia, India, and New Zealand will also be sending their delegations for the summit.
“Talagang preparado na since early this year until now alam natin na itong mangyayaring ASEAN (We have been preparing for this since early this year and we have been anticipating what will happen during the Summit),” Andanar said.
“Dito na ilalabas kung ano iyong mga napag-usapan in the past few months ng ASEAN – kung ano iyong mga mapagkakasunduan at kung ano iyong message na ibabato sa buong publiko (They will now convey what they have talked about during the past few months – their agreements and the message they want to send to the public),” he added.
Last month, Malacañang confirmed that Trump will be coming to Manila for the ASEAN Summit. The Palace said that Trump’s visit will signify the improving relationship between the two long-time allied countries.
Trump’s visit to the Philippines is part of his five-nation swing through Asia from November 3 to 15, according to the White House.
Aside from the Philippines, Trump is set to visit China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam to discuss the nuclear threat of North Korea.
Russian defense chief
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will arrive in the country for the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus today, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said.
“We expect a frank discussion on all pressing regional problems. A frank dialogue is required. We Russians are ready for such a dialogue,” said Khovaev.
Aside from combating terrorism, he said, many projects in bilateral cooperation in various fields are in for consideration, including trade, culture, education, and tourism.
No Putin visit
Meanwhile, Khovaev said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not going to attend the East Asian Summit next month, but Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will attend instead.
“The East Asia Summits, they are usually attended by our Prime Minister [and] our President usually attends the APEC (Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summits. It is a distribution of powers and their responsibilities.” he said.