Prime ministers from Malaysian and New Zealand arrived in Manila on Tuesday (November 17), a day before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was welcomed by Filipino officials at Manila’s international airport.
Malaysia has brokered peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end a 45-year conflict that has killed 120,000 people, displaced 2 million and stunted growth in one of the poor and resource-rich regions in the Philippines.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key arrived in Manila later on Tuesday and was welcomed by Filipino officials.
Key is expected to speak at a CEO forum in Manila before attending the summit.
Razak and Key were among the heads of state who have arrived in the Philippines ahead of the 20-member APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18 to 19.
The APEC has seen significant growth since it was founded in 1989, and APEC summits are occasions for member economies to reaffirm their commitment to regional integration. (Reuters)