Spanish top diplomat visits Tacloban

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo (center). AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The foreign affairs minister of Spain on Tuesday visited typhoon-stricken Tacloban City to check on the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the Visayas.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that Spain is one of the biggest donors to the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in areas hard hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo and his delegation are on a two-day visit to the Philippines.

Margallo and his delegation arrived in the country Monday and met with his counterpart, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario, where the two had bilateral talks in enhancing ties between the two nations.

“Let me also take this opportunity to reiterate the gratitude of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people for Spain’s generous humanitarian assistance not only on the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda but also in the wake of the Zamboanga crisis and the earthquake in Bohol,” del Rosario said in a press briefing Monday night.

Del Rosario and Margallo discussed issues involving trade and investment, tourism and economic partnership between the two countries.

The two diplomats also discussed on improving security ties between the two governments.

Speaking to reporters, Margallo said that Spain supports a peaceful resolution to the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

Following his trip to Leyte, Margallo will inaugurate an emergency warehouse facility in Tacloban City which received an emergency equipment from Spain and will visit a Spanish language cultural school.

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