16 May 2006 - Philippine Ambassador to Chile Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that she conveyed the greetings of  H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Filipino people to Costa Rica’s new president, H.E. Oscar Arias, during the inauguration ceremony held on 8 May 2006 in San Jose.

As Special Envoy and Personal Representative of President Arroyo to President Arias’ inaugural rites, Ambassador Puyat-Reyes said, “I conveyed the best wishes of President Macapagal-Arroyo and discussed with President Arias the priorities of the Philippine Government.   In our brief meeting, we pledged to undertake further activities to deepen Philippine-Costa Rican bilateral relations.”

President Arias was sworn in as Costa Rica’s president for the second time.  He was president of the Central American nation from 1986 to 1990, and in 1987 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end conflicts and civil wars in the region throughout that decade.

The inauguration was held in the capital in front of regional leaders and about 15,000 people.  Ambassador Puyat-Reyes informed the Department that among the foreign dignitaries in attendance were Mexican President Vicente Fox and the Presidents of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Haiti, and El Salvador, H.R.H. Felipe de Borbón Prince of Asturias, and U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, who extended her warmest regards to President Arroyo.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa and Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú also attended President Arias’ inaugural ceremony. END