GMA to go on state visit to New Zealand, Australia in May

President Arroyo has announced two state visits in May to New Zealand and Australia to reciprocate the sojourn of its leaders and promote better ties with them.

In a speech during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) Philippines Inc. in Makati City Friday night, Mrs. Arroyo said she wants to strengthen the existing diplomatic and economic ties of the Philippines with these two South Pacific countries.

The President said her visit to New Zealand was her response to the invitation of Prime Minister Helen Clark for her to co-host the interfaith dialogue to be held there.

It was a return invitation, Mrs. Arroyo said, because Clark agreed to co-host the same dialogue held in Cebu last March.

Visiting New Zealand, she said, would be an opportunity for her to push through with her visit to Australia, in return for the state visit of Australian Prime Minister John Howard to the Philippines in 2003.

In her speech, Mrs. Arroyo thanked the two countries for their continuing support for the Philippines’ development efforts, including her administration’s ongoing economic reforms.

"Thank you for joining us in our crusade for a new Philippines. Our opportunities are your opportunities, our well-being will be your own — we share a good future," the President said.

ANZCHAM’s silver anniversary also marked the observance of 60 years of diplomatic relations of the Philippines with Australia, and 40 years with New Zealand.

Mrs. Arroyo said she was grateful to the ANZCHAM leaders for their continued support to her administration, especially for demonstrating their confidence in the Philippines despite efforts from her detractors to disrupt her governance.

The President’s planned state visits coincide with the election period here which has become controversial amid a continued push by Charter change advocates to amend the Constitution before next year’s elections.

The President lauded Australia and New Zealand for helping the Philippine government expand its trade and other aspects of the economy in order to provide more jobs and raise the living conditions of poor Filipinos.

Next to the United States, Australia is the second leading security partner of the country and biggest donor in terms of Australian aid in defense cooperation, Mrs. Arroyo noted.

"And I thank Australia and New Zealand for providing assistance to peace and development in Mindanao, especially in the conflict-affected areas, through confidence and capacity building," she said.

To further improve the business climate in the Philippines, the President assured the top executives of ANZCHAM that the government would continue to improve its infrastructure facilities like roads, seaports, airports and information and communication technology (ICT) centers "until the major islands are closely interlinked by land, air, sea and cyberspace."

Mrs. Arroyo also conveyed special thanks to Australian Ambassador Tony Hely for offering to send more assistance to impoverished Filipinos and to the victims of super typhoon "Reming" in the Bicol region.