Marcos says Japan trip...

PAGE 1 well-developed na ‘yong mga interactions natin with G-to-G [governmentto-government] even sa commercial,” the President said.

“So what we’re really having to do now is we are going to have to, we’re finalizing some of the projects that for example, were postponed because of the pandemic, lockdowns; and also now, some new projects that are follow-on from kung ano ‘yong dati,” he added.

It is also the reason why his supposed schedule has been “very specific” as foundation had been laid out already.

“So that’s why kung titignan niyo ‘yong [if you would see the] schedule very specific, may purpose ang bawat meeting, hindi ‘yong [every meeting has purpose, not about the] general introduction of the Philippines to the EU [European Union] or to another country,” he explained.

While this is Marcos’ first visit to Japan since assuming the presidency last June 30, he and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio have already met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York last September 2022.

Furthermore, several government agencies and officials from the two countries have already met, like in the case of the Philippine Department of National Defense which has strongly advocated for the creation of a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with Japan.

Marcos also hopes that discussions would flourish,