Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has welcomed the non-resident ambassadors of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of The Gambia, and the Gabonese Republic, expressing optimism over expanding the Philippines' diplomatic and economic ties with the four nations. During separate ceremonies in Malaca±ang on Tuesday, the ambassadors presented their letters of credence to the President, formally beginning their diplomatic missions to the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, the new envoys were Ambassadors-Designate Retselisitsoe Theko of Lesotho, Reinaldo Rafael Espinal of the Dominican Republic, Masanneh Nyuku Kinteh of The Gambia, and Landry Mboumba of Gabon. In his meeting with Theko, Marcos said he hopes to deepen bilateral cooperation in education, technical training, healthcare, skills development, trade, investment, tourism, and multilateral engagement. 'I look forward to examining those and exploring those (areas of cooperation) with you and to find ways to bring our countries closer to the mutual benefit of all,' the President said.
Theko said Lesotho shares the Philippines' commitment to international cooperation, peaceful development, and improving the welfare of their people. He also cited opportunities to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and multilateral affairs. Marcos likewise expressed interest in expanding cooperation with The Gambia, particularly in agriculture, education, trade, tourism, and investment. 'It is a great honor and pleasure to receive your Letter of Credence... I hope that the sectors that you mentioned are areas that we can examine and explore to further foster the closeness and the deepening of our relationship between our two countries,' he told Ambassador Kinteh.
The President also welcomed Dominican Republic Ambassador Espinal, expressing hope that his posting would further strengthen bilateral relations and produce tangible benefits for both countries. Ambassador Mboumba of Gabon likewise presented his credentials to Marcos during the ceremonies in Malaca±ang.
