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MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is leaving before noon Saturday for official visits to South Korea and Russia but only after inaugurating a P1-billion flyover leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Ms Arroyo and her delegation will depart for Seoul on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight at past 11 a.m. Saturday, Malacañang said.
Prior to her flight, Ms Arroyo will inaugurate the NAIA Expressway Flyover which connects the South Luzon Expressway and the Metro Manila Skyway with the international airport’s passenger terminals.
The flyover is expected to cut down travel time to and from the international airport, and benefit local and foreign passengers.
In her four-day visit to South Korea, Ms Arroyo is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, and then take part in the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.
She is making the visit notwithstanding the tension stirred by North Korea’s nuclear tests, and the global threat of swine flu, officials said.
This official visit is a chance for the two leaders to discuss the state of bilateral relations and to “chart a new direction for a strategic and mutually beneficial future,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.
The two countries are marking the 60th year of their diplomatic relations this year, which Ms Arroyo has declared as Philippines-South Korea Friendship Year.
Trade between the two countries is pegged at $5.06 billion. More than $3 billion in Korean investments top the list of foreign indirect investments in the country.
Ms Arroyo is also set to attend the ASEAN-South Korea summit on Jeju island on June 1 and 2, and affirm the Philippines’ collaboration with South Korea and the rest of the region vis-à-vis the global economic downturn.
From South Korea, Ms Arroyo and her party will proceed to Russia for a visit from June 4 to 6, where she will speak at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, among others, according to officials.
