MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte received on Tuesday the speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah Al-Asheikh, and his accompanying delegation.

Duterte conveyed his regards to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring strong bilateral relations.

The president thanked the Saudi government for caring for Filipino citizens residing in the Kingdom, and for ensuring the ease of their living and working there.

Duterte welcomed Saudi businessmen and investors to contribute to the development of the Philippines, and expressed his country’s readiness to motivate Filipino businessmen to contribute and participate in Saudi mining projects.

He thanked Saudi Arabia for its support to the Philippines at the UN, for voting against accusing it of human rights violations, and for supporting reconstruction projects in the city of Marawi.

Al-Asheikh conveyed greetings from the king and crown prince to Duterte, and their wishes of continued prosperity and progress to the Philippine government and people. 

Al-Asheikh thanked Duterte for his hospitality, and said his visit to the Philippines is part of the Kingdom’s keenness to consolidate relations with friendly countries, and to strengthen relations between the Shoura Council and the Philippine House of Representatives.

Al-Asheikh reiterated his government’s care for the Filipino community working in the Kingdom.

During the meeting, bilateral relations were reviewed and issues of common concern discussed.