MANILA: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his Philippine counterpart on Monday for Manila’s participation in a high-level peace summit later this month, describing it as a “very strong signal” toward achieving peace in the war-torn nation.
In their first-in person meeting in Manila, Zelensky also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for his country’s “clear position” on Russia’s “occupation of our territories,” while the Philippine leader assured him of his continued support.
“I’m happy to hear today from you that you participate (in) our basic steps to the peace,” Zelensky told Marcos during their bilateral meeting, speaking in English. He thanked Marcos for Manila’s participation in the peace summit, saying “it’s a very strong signal.”
It was not immediately clear if Marcos would attend the summit or if he would send an envoy.
“Thank you so much (for) your big word, and clear position... about this Russian occupation of our territories,” he said, adding that Ukraine will open an embassy in Manila this year.
Wearing a black shirt and olive fatigues, Zelensky arrived at the presidential palace on Monday after an unscheduled appearance at Asia’s biggest security conference in Singapore during the weekend to drum up support for the two-day peace summit in Switzerland.
Marcos delivered the keynote address at the security forum, criticizing what he described as illegal, coercive and aggressive actions by “other actors” in the South China Sea — a censure of China, although he didn’t name the country.
Marcos told Zelensky he was “honored” the Ukrainian leader was visiting Manila.
“It’s a great pleasure to meet, to discuss, issues that are common for both countries, and hopefully, we find ways for both of us together,” Marcos said.
Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation,” has not been invited to the June 15-16 summit to be hosted by the Swiss government. Russia has dismissed the talks as meaningless without its participation.
While in Singapore, Zelensky told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the conference and was disappointed that Beijing, a Moscow ally, would not attend the summit.
Zelensky has urged US President Joe Biden to attend, although Washington has yet to confirm who it will send.
Ukraine’s Zelensky thanks Marcos for Philippine participation in peace summit
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Ukraine’s Zelensky thanks Marcos for Philippine participation in peace summit
- Russia not invited to the June 15-16 summit to be hosted by the Swiss government
- Moscow has dismissed the talks as meaningless without its participationUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, during a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on June 3, 2024. (Reuters)
Venezuela aims to boost oil output but sanctions stand in the way, VP says
- Sanchez called the recent capture of Nicolas Maduro a “dark day” for the country
DUBAI: Venezuela’s Vice President for Economy Calixto Ortega Sanchez said on Wednesday that his country needed vast foreign investment and sanctions relief to tap its huge oil reserves and restart its ailing economy.
“We know that the reference for Venezuela is that (it is) the country with the biggest oil reserves, and we want to stop being known for this, and we want to be known as one of the countries with the highest production levels,” Sanchez said.
Responding to questions by American journalist Tucker Carlson, Sanchez called the recent capture of Nicolas Maduro a “dark day” for the country but said Venezuela was working to reestablish a relationship with the US, which he described as a “natural partner” for the country.
“The Venezuelan people and authorities have shown that they are ready to peacefully move forward and to build opportunities,” he said during a session at the World Government Summit.
Sanchez, who headed Venezuela’s central bank, said the most pertinent issue facing his country is continued US sanctions.
Despite failing to result in regime change, the sanctions had effectively stifled the economy from growing, he added.
He said the Venezuelan government was now working to reform its laws to allow foreign investment and hoped the US would ease sanctions to aid their work.
“The first decisions that interim President Rodriguez took was to go to the National Assembly and ask for reform to the hydrocarbon law … this law will allow international investors to go to Venezuela with favorable conditions, with legal assurance of their investments,” he added.
“The economy is ready for investment. The economy is ready for the private sector; it is ready to build up a better future for the Venezuelan people.”
Sanchez played down inferences by Carlson that his government had been taken over, insisting that the regime still held authority in the country. He said the country had set up two funds to receive money from oil production that would fund better welfare and social conditions for Venezuelans.
“Allow us to have access to our own assets … we don’t have access to our own money,” he added.
“If you allow us to function like a regular country, Venezuela will show extraordinary improvement and growth.”
