Press Release No. 109-03
27 March 2003
GUATEMALAN
VICE PRESIDENT JUAN FRANCISCO REYES LOPEZ MAKES SHORT VISIT TO MANILA
As part of a swing around the Asian region, Guatemalan Vice President Juan
Francisco Reyes Lopez paid a private visit to the Philippines from 13
to 16 March 2003, meeting with top Philippine government officials and discussing
ways and means to strengthen the special relations between the Philippines
and Guatemala.
Vice President Reyes Lopez paid courtesy calls on Vice President Teofisto
Guingona, Foreign Secretary Blas Ople, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, and
NCCA Chairperson Evelyn Pantig during his short visit, and was likewise given
a tour of Intramuros by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon.
During his call on Secretary Ople on March 14, among the matters discussed
was the Philippines’ interest in participating as an observer in the next
Ibero-american Summit to be held in Bolivia. The Guatemalan Vice
President stated that Guatemala would support the Philippines in this matter,
and is also giving special consideration to the Philippine bid for a non-permanent
seat in the UN Security Council in the elections to be held at the UN General
Assembly this September.
Sec. Ople expressed the Philippines’ appreciation for Guatemala’s hosting
of several hundred Filipinos workers as mid-level managers in garment and
textile factories. Vice President Reyes Lopez for his part stated
that Guatemala was greatly benefitted by the Filipinos’ presence and both
officials agreed that this presence symbolized the fraternal bonds which have
linked both peoples for centuries.
As the very first visit to the Philippines by a high-ranking Guatemalan
official, Vice President Reyes Lopez and Sec. Ople expressed the hope and
confidence that this shall mark the beginning of a special era for Philippine-Guatemalan
relations, consistent with President Arroyo’s declared policy of reviving
the special ties between the Philippines and Latin America. - END