Aquino welcomes new ambassadors

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday welcomed several ambassadors in Malacañang for the presentation of their credentials.

Aquino on Tuesday morning met with resident ambassadors Mohammad Tanhaei of Iran and Amanda Louise Gorely of Australia.

They were followed by non-resident ambassadors or diplomats who represent more than one country.

The non-resident ambassadors who met with Aquino were Marcin Kubiak of Poland, Drazen Margeta of Croatia, Askhat Orazbay of Kazakhstan, Yahya Ngam of Mauritania, Nasreddine Rimouche of Algeria, Tumur Lkhagvadorj of Mongolia and Abubacarr Jah of The Gambia.

The diplomats were given arrival honors and were asked to sign the Malacañang guest book.

READ: Aquino honors outgoing Australian ambassador

The presentation of credentials is a diplomatic requirement for the Philippine government to officially recognize an ambassador as the representative of his country.

In his speech, Aquino pointed out that many issues confronting the Philippines no longer have nation borders.

“The front pages of our newspapers attest to this: in the past few years, we have read about pandemics, terrorism, global economic instability, and the increasing risk presented by climate change, among many other issues,” he said.

But the President said that while the “challenges are formidable,” nations can still resolve them “with purposeful and united world action.”

“If we can complement each other’s strengths, we can overcome these difficulties, and ultimately bring about a world that is truly peaceful, prosperous, and progressive, where no nation—and no individual—is left behind,” he explained.

Aquino encouraged the newly designated ambassadors to visit the country’s tourist sports to see “many beautiful places in our country, experience the warmth of our countrymen, and realize why so many say that it is indeed ‘more fun in the Philippines.’”

“Perhaps your experiences will prove as even greater inspiration to deepen our ties and give rise to a more productive engagement with one another, towards the betterment of our respective peoples,” he said. CDG

READ: British envoy in Manila to strengthen UK, PH partnership