This is Hasan’s first visit to the Philippines since he assumed office at the helm of Malaysian diplomacy in December last year.

According to the DFA, this trip follows the successful state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Malaysia in July 2023; and the official visit to Manila of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in March 2023.

On this occasion, Manalo and Hasan highlighted progress on several memoranda of understanding on sports, cultural cooperation, tourism, higher education and the development of the halal (food for Islamic people) industry.

On the other hand, the Philippine Foreign Ministry also announced the visit of Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to the country on July 4; which will be his first visit to Manila since he assumed his post last May 3.

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo and Maris are expected to discuss common areas of cooperation, including the proposed convening of the 6th Meeting of the Philippines-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

They will also discuss regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in the South China Sea, and the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and Gaza.

The Philippines and Thailand are celebrating this year their 75th anniversary of bilateral relations, which were established through the signing of a Treaty of Friendship in 1949.

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