Aquino to visit European countries, US in September

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III said today that he will visit four European countries and the United States next month to seek more investments and strengthen bilateral ties.

In an interview with a local radio station, Aquino said he will go to Spain, France, Germany and Belgium before heading to the United States. The trip is tentatively scheduled from September 13 to 24.

He said he will thank the European Union for lifting restrictions on Philippine carriers and for their aid to victims of typhoon Haiyan.

Aquino said he expects to have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Germany and France.

He also said he plans to discuss the welfare of Filipino seafarers with the European Maritime Safety Agency and meet with several European business leaders who has expressed interest in investing or expanding their businesses in the Philippines.

Aquino will then proceed to the United States to attend the UN Climate Summit in New York where the Philippines has been invited to share its experience following the onslaught of typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.

Aquino said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had invited the Philippines to attend the summit during his visit to the country in April and personally saw what had been done in typhoon-affected towns.

He said he intends to ask other nations, especially those with bigger carbon footprints, to exert more efforts to combat climate change.