VISITING Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Rodrigo Duterte will sign various memoranda of agreement on agriculture, transportation, among others, during the former’s two-day official visit starting Thursday, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Wednesday.
Foreign Undersecretary Millicent Paredes said both leaders would sign agreements on transportation, agriculture, small and medium enterprise, enhancement of security cooperation and infrastructure.
“There will be Moa that will be signed again between the President and the Prime Minister,” Yasay told a news conference.
“These are on the works and this is what we expect,” he added.
Abe, arriving with wife Akie and businessmen, will be the first head of government to officially visit the Philippines this year.
Yasay said Abe would be flying on to Davao Friday for continuation of bilateral talks.
Paredes said aside from the Moa, both countries seek to enhance their diplomatic ties.
“And whatever we deem fit to receive from Japan. That is our goal for the visit of the Prime Minister,” Paredes said.
Yasay also said Abe would also discuss counter-terrorism and drug rehabilitation projects, among other issues, with Duterte.
“President Duterte and Prime Minister Abe are expected to discuss a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, counter-terrorism cooperation, drug rehabilitation projects, infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, and development projects,” Yasay said.
He said Abe had assured the Philippines Tokyo was ready to give Manila assistance to enhance capacity in fighting against illegal drugs through the establishment of drug rehabilitation.
“Japan has been ready in giving us assistance to enhance capacity in fighting. Assistance to provide building of drug rehabilitation centers and this is somethinng we are looking forward to,” Yasay added.
Abe’s visit, Yasay said, is a result of the invitation extended by Duterte to Abe during his official visit to Japan in October last year.
Abe’s visit is the first by any highest ranking official to Davao City, home to a large Japanese community.
Duterte will host a dinner for Abe at the Malacañang Thursday before leaving for Davao, on the southeastern skirts of the country.
Abe’s visit comes as Duterte pivots Philippine foreign policy away from its traditional ally, the US.
