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Duterte leaves for Brunei to enhance "special ties"

Xinhua, October 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte left for Brunei on Sunday to "enhance ties" with the country.

"We will discuss further enhancing the special ties and reaffirming the enduring relations between our two countries and peoples," Duterte said in his departure speech in Davao, his home city.

He said he would seek to foster closer cooperation with Brunei, especially within the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Among the priorities, he said would be intensifying two-way trade and investments. "Developing our halo sector and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) are key points of discussion," he said.

Duterte said he would "seek to further strengthen joint resolve at security and lasting peace in Mindanao." He said Brunei would continue to play an important role in the Philippines' quest for peace.

In the area of defense and security cooperation, Duterte said, "I will seek collaborative undertakings in the sharing and expertise on maritime issues as well as in capacity building."

"I will also seek closer collaboration and mutual support in our campaign against illegal drugs, an important step towards attaining our common goal of realizing an ASEAN drug-free community," he said.

From Brunei, Duterte said he would make a state visit to China from Oct. 18-21. Enditem