Marcos off to UAE for one-day working visit

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will embark on a one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, Malacañang said Saturday.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said Marcos’ trip would only have a “lean party” but has a “high purpose.”

“While the President’s visit will be short, the goodwill and opportunities it will create will be substantial, resulting in stronger Philippine-UAE relations,” Chavez said.

“The accompanying delegation has been trimmed to the barest minimum,” he added.

While in UAE, Chavez said the President would meet with the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is expected that these productive dialogues will lead to agreements that will deepen the ties between the two countries, forging areas of cooperation that mutually harness their shared values and common interests,” the Palace official said.

“The President will also convey the gratitude of the Philippine government to the leaders of a nation that has tapped Filipino talent, allowing it to flourish in an environment that fosters kindness, respect, and tolerance,” he added.

Chavez said Marcos hoped that the Filipinos in the UAE would understand why he would skip meeting members of the community during his visit.

“He has decided to immediately fly back to Manila to resume his personal supervision and inspection of the relief and reconstruction activities in communities devastated by six successive typhoons,” he said.

The Philippines and the UAE established diplomatic relations on Aug. 19, 1974.

The UAE and the Philippines are key partners in peace efforts, development, combating climate change, among other fields.

The Emirates also gives considerable attention to assisting the development programs of the Philippine government, especially those associated with the peace process.

There are an estimated 700,000 Filipinos living and working in the Middle Eastern country, with around 450,000 residing in Dubai.