BBM blitzes through KL bilateral talks

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, the European Union and Japan on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here.

In his first bilateral meeting, Marcos met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for the peaceful resolution of the Thai-Cambodian conflict through dialogue and adherence to international law.

In a press briefing at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President welcomed recent developments in the resolution of the conflict, particularly the signing of the Terms of Reference for the ASEAN Observer Team.

Manet, for his part, expressed Cambodia’s full support for the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

During his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Marcos extended his condolences to the people of Thailand over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

He also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening cooperation with Thailand in tourism, trade, investment and agricultural exchanges.

Charnvirakul expressed his government’s strong support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship and shared interest in further deepening economic and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

In his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney, Marcos thanked Canada for its steadfast support for the Philippines and for upholding shared values rooted in the rules-based international order, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to Castro, the two leaders committed to further cooperation in trade, investment, and energy, and to continue constructive engagement within ASEAN.

The President also met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who assured the President that the European Union would continue trade negotiations with the Philippines.

Costa reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to multilateralism and to strengthening the international rules-based order.

Likewise, the President met newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the first time, congratulating her on her historic election as Japan’s leader.

He expressed optimism over the upcoming celebration of Philippine-Japanese diplomatic relations and highlighted the two countries’ deepening cooperation in defense and security, particularly through the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in September.

He also emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, the United States, and Japan in maintaining regional peace and stability.