22 September 2014 - President Benigno S. Aquino III began his five-country tour to Europe and the United States with a successful two-day visit in Spain from September 14 to 15.
After the President´s arrival in Madrid, the Honorable Jose Maria Aznar, the former President of the Government of Spain, paid a courtesy call on President Aquino to discuss the common cultural heritage of the Philippines and Spain as well as economic cooperation.
The President met with Madrid Fusión organizers and elite chefs, and witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Tourism and the Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior (ICEX) España Exportación e Inversiones for the conduct of Madrid Fusión-Manila in April 2015. Madrid Fusión is an annual international gastronomy gathering held in Madrid, Spain since 2003. Madrid Fusión-Manila will be one of the highlights of “Visit the Philippines Year 2015″ campaign of the government.
President Aquino proceeded to the Rizal Monument in Avenida Las Islas Filipinas to lay a wreath and pay respects to Dr. Jose Rizal. He was met by Councilor Isabel Martinez-Cubells of the Ayuntamiento de Madrid and was assisted by officials of the Knights of Rizal.
At the meeting with the Filipino community in Spain held at the Colegio La Salle Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, the President thanked overseas Filipinos for their continued contribution to the economy. President Aquino likewise reported on the Philippines´ economic progress as seen in the construction boom in Metro Manila and major cities around the country.
The President then met individually with chief executives of seven leading Spanish corporations and encouraged them to invest and expand their operations in the Philippines given the country´s infrastructure and energy needs. These companies are Grupo Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, Abengoa, Calidad Pascual, Ineco, Globalvia, Acciona and Indra Sistemas.
President Aquino also graced the Business Networking event attended by the accompanying Philippine Business Delegation and more than 40 Spanish business executives. In his remarks, the President cited the country´s economic achievements and competitiveness as well as the outstanding human resource as he encouraged Spanish businessmen to further invest in the Philippines.
The following day, President Aquino met with President Mariano Rajoy at the Palacio de la Moncloa. President Aquino took the opportunity to thank the people and government of Spain for their assistance to the victims of typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan as well as for their donations to the victims of the Zamboanga siege and the earthquake in the Visayas.
He also thanked Spain´s support for the Mindanao Peace Process and shared that the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted to Congress, which will be the basis for the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement.
President Aquino later affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the European Council to eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
He also vowed closer cooperation with Spain in combating transnational crime and looked forward to the finalization of the Air Transport Agreement that could lead to direct flights between Manila and Madrid.
On international issues, President Aquino briefed President Rajoy on developments in the West Philippine Sea and reiterated the Philippines´ commitment to resolve the dispute in the context of international law.
Capping President Aquino´s visit to Spain was an audience with His Majesty, King Felipe VI, at the Palacio de la Zarzuela.
The President left Madrid to proceed with the second leg of his Europe-U.S. visit in Belgium. END