24 September 2014 - Philippine Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid presented his Letters of Credence as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the President of the Republic of Benin, Boni Yayi, on September 18.
Upon arrival at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, Ambassador Lamadrid was accorded with military honors, and reviewed the guard of honor composed of elements of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Benin. The Philippine and Beninese national anthems were played by the Army Band, with Ambassador Lamadrid saluting the national flags of both countries before being ushered into the President’s office.
During the 20-minute bilateral meeting between Ambassador Lamadrid and President Boni Yayi, the Ambassador conveyed the cordial greetings of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III and his best wishes for President Yayi’s well-being, as well as that of the friendly people of Benin. The Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the excellent relations between the two countries, and informed the Beninese President regarding developments in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region.
Ambassador Lamadrid likewise expressed hope for the further deepening of the bilateral and multilateral relations between Benin and the Philippines, particularly in the important areas of socio-political and economic cooperation, trade and investment, education and culture, people-to-people contacts, and multilateral diplomacy.
The Ambassador stated that the Philippines would welcome vigorous exchanges of trade delegations between the Philippines and Benin, and invited Beninese business persons to attend Philippine trade fairs such as the forthcoming Manila FAME in October.
For his part, President Boni Yayi welcomed Ambassador Lamadrid to the Republic of Benin and congratulated him on his presentation of credentials. The Beninese President extended his sincere greetings to Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, and best wishes for the Philippine President’s well-being.
President Boni Yayi informed Ambassador Lamadrid regarding recent socio-economic developments in Benin, and invited Philippine businessmen to consider trade and investment opportunities in Benin, particularly in infrastructure projects such as housing, road construction, seaports, airports, hotels and hospitality industries, agriculture, fishing, education, handicrafts and souvenirs, microfinance, and other areas.
The Beninese President also expressed satisfaction with Benin-Philippines cooperation in the multilateral arena, and welcomed Philippine initiatives in the UN and other international bodies.
During the tete-a-tete between President Boni Yayi and Ambassador Lamadrid, the Philippine Ambassador was accompanied by the Philippine Honorary Consul to Cotonou, Benin Mr. Tomasso Berutti and the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals officer Mr. Raymund Ondiano. The Beninese President was joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, other Ministers, and high officials of the Beninese Armed Forces.
After the meeting between President Boni Yayi and Ambassador Lamadrid, the Philippine Ambassador granted an interview to the media, which was aired on Beninese television that same evening. Newspaper reports of the Philippine Ambassador’s presentation of credentials were carried by Beninese newspapers the following day.
Ambassador Lamadrid presented his credentials to the Beninese President, along with other resident and non-resident Ambassadors from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, India, Mali, and Vietnam. END