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Arroyo leads 58-member delegation for 3-nation trip


President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led a 58-member delegation in leaving for a three-country travel to Turkey, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Radio dzRH reported Wednesday that Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation left after departure honors at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). A report by radio dzBB's Aileen Intia said that the president's team departed at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. In her delegation were Secretaries Cerge Remonde (Press) and Peter Favila (Trade). The team left aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines (PR-001) 747 jumbo jet. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita led the departure honors. On Sunday, Malacañang said Mrs. Arroyo's visit aims to "look after the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)" and to strengthen bilateral relations and economic cooperation. A Palace statement also explained Mrs. Arroyo's cancellation of her visit to New York, where she was supposed to address the United Nations General Assembly. "It conflicted with her schedule for the Saudi Arabia visit," it said. Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo accepted the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to talk about their expanding bilateral relations. He said she is also expected to take up the Philippines' observer status bid in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). On Sept. 17 and 18, Mrs. Arroyo will be in the United Kingdom to deliver a keynote address in "The Emerging Markets Summit" hosted by London-based news magazine "The Economist." She will join five other heads of emerging economies who have confirmed participation in the summit – namely: Thailand, Ukraine, Tunisia, Turkey, and Rwanda. The Palace said Mrs. Arroyo is expected to highlight the resiliency and continued growth of the Philippine economy, which reported a positive 1.5 percent economic growth in the second quarter of 2009, three times the 0.5 percent median of expected growth during the current global economic downturn. While Mrs. Arroyo is in the UK, she will witness the signing of two bilateral agreements expected to intensify legal cooperation between the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and British First Secretary of State Lord Mandelson will sign the RP-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and the RP-UK Extradition Treaty. Mrs. Arroyo will also meet with representatives of the Filipino community. There are around 200,000 Filipinos in the United Kingdom, 70 percent of whom are based in the Greater London area. From London, Mrs. Arroyo will proceed on September 21 to 23 to Saudi Arabia upon the invitation of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. In Saudi Arabia, Mrs. Arroyo will attend the official inauguration of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia on September 23. "The inauguration is highly significant as it will coincide with the celebration of the Saudi National Day and the Eid El-Fitr, marking the end of holy month of Ramadan. Pardons for prisoners are often granted by the King during Ramadan," the Office of the Press Secretary said. President Arroyo will take up with King Abdullah the further strengthening of bilateral relations, including closer economic cooperation as well as the welfare of an estimated one million Filipino workers. Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia have remained robust since Oct. 24, 1969. Both countries share common interests in international and multilateral organization and have stood on the same side on many issues in the United Nations and other international forums. Saudi Arabia, through its membership in the OIC Ministerial Committee of Six, facilitated the forging of Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro National Liberation Front (GRP-MNLF) peace agreement. It has been a supporter of the peace process and development in southern Philippines. Frequent trips In June this year, former President Fidel V. Ramos questioned the "efficiency" of Mrs. Arroyo’s travels abroad because of the several side trips she had made. Arroyo has been criticized for her frequent travels abroad. From August 2001 until September 1, 2009, the president has traveled abroad 111 times. The issue over Arroyo's trips grabbed the spotlight after reports on lavish dinners she had with her entourage during her latest visit to the US, which even prompted . In response to her critics, the president said that that her trips were necessary for national security as well as the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). - GMANews.TV

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