Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of Cambodia and South Korea on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next week.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial said Marcos will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“So far, we’re still finalizing the bilateral meetings that will be conducted by the President. But I think it would be safe to say that the first one will be with the host government, with Cambodia,” Imperial said in a Palace briefing.
“As a matter of courtesy, it will be their first meeting as the new president of the Philippines,” he added.
Imperial said Marcos will also discuss a host of issues with his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol. South Korea is a dialogue partner of ASEAN.
“Foremost, among the topics that they will probably discuss would be the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the two countries. Korea is only the second country with which we will be concluding a free trade agreement after Japan,” he said.
“Aside from that, we have a very robust defense and security cooperation as you well know,” Imperial added.
Marcos is also expected to meet with other world leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN summits.
Meanwhile, Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said Marcos will also meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia to “update them on the programs and policies of his administration, especially on the protection and promotions of the rights and welfare of OFWs.”
