President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Saudi Arabia kicked off with a significant meeting on Tuesday, April 11, as he met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), King Salman holds President Duterte’s leadership in high regard, particularly his firm stance on the war against drugs.
In photographs released by SPA, President Duterte can be seen wearing a suit during the arrival ceremony, where King Salman extended his welcome.
This leg of President Duterte’s two-day state visit marks a significant event in the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with the Middle East, as he becomes the first Philippine Chief Executive to visit the kingdom in around eight years.
The previous visits were made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in September 2009 and President Ferdinand Marcos in March 1982.
During their meeting, President Duterte and King Salman witnessed the signing of three important agreements:
- An agreement between the foreign ministries of both countries regarding the recruitment of public laborers.
- A memorandum of political consultations between the two countries’ foreign affairs ministries.
- A cooperation program between the diplomatic academies of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
This event signifies the strengthening of ties and enhanced cooperation between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, promising a future of stronger diplomatic relations.
