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PGMA's
Speech during a State Dinner in honor of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea President
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Doņa Constancia Mangue de Obiang |
| His Excellency President Teodoro
Obiang, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Vice President de Castro, Speaker
De Venecia, Senator Manuel Villar and Congresswoman Cynthia Villar and the other elective
officials of the Philippine Government, excellencies of the diplomatic corps, members of
the Cabinet, Los Miembros Delegacion de Equatorial Guinea, members of the Philippine
business community, ladies and gentlemen. Esta noche celebramos el encuentro de dos paises que tienen un patrimonio comun, pero por muchos aņos no han podido acercarse como hubieran debido, a causa de la distancia geografica que les separa. The Philippines and Equatorial Guinea both have extensive aquatic resources and rich agricultural lands. Both of our countries and our peoples come from aboriginal ancestors. Both were under the Spaniards for many centuries and thus are Christians in majority. The Philippines recognized Equatorial Guinea in 1968 when it became an independent country. Sin embargo, casi cuarenta aņos despues, las relaciones entre nuestros dos paises no han prosperado por mucho que nosotros hubieramos deseado. Hoy dia cambiaremos todo aquello. We are honored your Excellency that you have brought so many of your Cabinet members, your distinguished cabinet here with you, so that we could explore cooperation in all possible fields. De acuerdo con nuestra de fructifera reunion de hoy, espero que nuestros oficiales haran el seguimiento debide de las areas de nuestra significative colaboracion, from energy and human resources to agriculture, education, fisheries and culture and finance. Fuimos asimismo testigos de la firma de varios memoranda entendimiento entre los oficiales del gobierno de ustedes y el sector privado de nosotros proyetos que por ejemplo encluyen la banca y las finanzas. And also I'm very happy about the agreement that was signed earlier on the development of the insurance industry in your country by Filipino companies. In recent years, the discovery of oil resources drastically changed the nature of Equatorial Guinea's economy as it had previously consisted chiefly of agriculture. Now, with the blessings of oil and with the leadership of your Excellency, Equatorial Guinea has achieved a tremendous improvement in its economy. And I wish to congratulate your leadership for this, your Excellency. We are also proud at the same time of the contribution of some of our great Filipino workers to the development of Equatorial Guinea. The Philippines depends on oil imports for energy, but as you have seen, we are blessed with the best knowledge workers in the world. Our two countries must have a chance to discover each other and deepen a friendship ordained by a common history and culture and complementary resources. Por tanto y siera ofrecer un brindis a su excelencia, and I ask everyone to join me in a toast to His Excellency President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, for his continued good health and success and to a dynamic and energetic partnership between our two countries. Mabuhay! |