Arroyo’s trip to Libya has a “lean” delegates
Posted on August 30th, 2009
Amidst a widely criticized trips and dinner overseas, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Libya early this morning. But this time though, the president has a “lean†delegation composed of only five Cabinet officials.
Travelling with the president in Libya are Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque, National Security Adviser Norberto S. Gonzales and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis.
Arroyo will be holding bilateral talks with leaders of South Asian and African states on economic and political issues as well as the peace process in Mindanao.
Remonde said, “President Arroyo will have a full schedule in Tripoli, Libya where she will hold bilateral meetings with the heads of state and government of South Asian and African states.†She will be proceeding to the African Union Summit that ends today (Manila time).
According to Remonde, Arroyo was invited by Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi to attend the Special Summit and the anniversary ceremonies on Sept. 1, adding the president will meet with the leaders of Libya, Sri Lanka and Pakistan on the sidelines of the event. The 53-member African Union, chaired by Libya, will discuss peace and security issues in the African continent, including international anti-piracy off the Somali coast.
Arroyo will be discussing with Qaddafi the peace and development process in Mindanao, and also about the overseas Filipino workers in Libya during the bilateral talks. The Moro communities in the South have been receiving development funding from Libya. Arroyo is also expected to convene the second RP-Libya Joint Commission Meeting to increase economic, trade and investment cooperation.
She will be also meet with Pakistani President Yousaf Raza Gillani as Manila and Islamabad would celebrate 69 years of diplomatic relations on September 8.
The bilateral talks with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajakasa would delve on counterterrorism efforts and increased trade.
The president and her party left Manila at 12:10 AM.
