(Eagle News) — In preparation for the hosting next year by the Philippines of the ASEAN Summit, President Rodrigo Duterte received the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Le Luong Minh and other ASEAN delegates in a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace.
ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Deputy Secretary-General V P Hirubalan, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Deputy Secretary-General Lim Hong Hin, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Deputy Secretary-General Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Director Pratap Parameswaran, Director Julia Puspadewi Tijaja, Director Rodora Babaran, and Director Lee Yoong Yoong joined the ASEAN Secretary General during the call on Tuesday, December 13.
From the Philippine side, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Undersecretary Florita Villar, and the Permanent Philippine Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso were present.
The Philippines is set to host the 30th and 31st ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings, and the grand commemorative celebration of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary in 2017.
Duterte met the ASEAN officials before he left for Cambodia and Singapore on Tuesday.