Palace welcomes Trump’s stay decision to attend East Asia Summit

Malacañang welcomed on Saturday President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would extend his stay in the Philippines so he could attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) right after the 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings next week.

“The Palace welcomes the announcement of the White House that President Donald Trump would extend his stay in the Philippines to attend the East Asia Summit,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in an interview over Radyo Pilipinas.

Andanar said the government was looking forward to engaging Trump in a “productive dialogue” during his visit.

“The President looks forward to engaging President Trump in the productive dialogue at the Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-US Commemorative Summit and the EAS,” he said.

The Philippines, as chair of this year’s Asean and host of 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings, is set to welcome all foreign leaders and delegates who would start arriving next week, Nov. 10.

Following the changes, Trump will be in the country from Nov. 12 to 14 to take part in the Asean Summit and the EAS.

He originally planned to stay in the Philippines only on Nov. 13 and skip the EAS, earning criticisms as it could send a “bad signal” to the region.

The EAS is a key annual forum attended by the 10 Asean member states and vital trade partners United States, Japan, Australia, China, New Zealand, India, and Russia.

According to Ambassador Marciano Paynor, head of the Asean National Organizing Committee, 21 heads of states, heads of governments, and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, are set to attend the regional meeting. /atm