President Duterte welcomes to Malacañang the other day Nobel Peace laureate and former Poland president Lech Walesa.
Duterte said he sought advice, which he did not specify, from the Polish democracy icon.
President Duterte received the credentials of the new ambassadors of Portugal, Ukraine and Yemen last Tuesday.
Duterte also met with Nobel Peace laureate and former Polish president Lech Walesa who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang last Tuesday.
Walesa, whose visit was arranged by private individuals, arrived in the Philippines for a lecture at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
In ceremonies at Malacañang, the three ambassadors submitted their letters of credence to the President.
Rui Fernando Sucena do Carmo of Portugal was the first to present his credentials. He previously served as ambassador to Indonesia.
Duterte then received the credentials of Olexander Nechytaylo, the new ambassador of Ukraine. He was the former ambassador of Ukraine to Malaysia.
Yemen’s Ambassador Adel Mohamed Ali Ba Hamid also submitted his credentials. Before his assignment to Manila, he served as Yemen’s envoy to Malaysia.
In his statement, the President expressed hope the new envoys have a productive tour of duty in the country.
The new envoys were given arrival honors at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañang. During their meeting, Duterte recognized Walesa’s role as a labor leader in his country and eventually as Poland’s president. Duterte also said that he wanted to seek more advice from Walesa. The nature of advise was not immediately clear. The former Polish leader expressed gratitude to Duterte for setting aside time for him.
The Philippines and Poland are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations. Poland opened its chancery in Manila in 1993 but closed it in 1994.
Poland reopened its embassy in the Philippines last Jan. 4 after sending its charge d’affaires. It will officially announce the embassy’s opening once a location is selected and an ambassador is designated.
Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his campaign for freedom of organization in Poland. He served as Poland’s president from 1990 to 1995.
Also present during the courtesy call were presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Amelita Aquino.