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The Philippines and the Republic of Palau sealed four
agreements
Wednesday to enhance cooperation
in education, health services, air services and telecommunications.
The two countries signed the
Amendment to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the
Philippines and Palau, and
agreements on Academic
Cooperation between the Commission on Higher Education of the
Philippines and the Palau Community College; Medical Tourism/Medical
Referral and Higher
Education Training in Health; and
cooperation between the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Co.
and Palau’s National Communications Corp.
Palau President Tommy Remengesau
Jr. is in the Philippines and on his last day of his two-day state
visit here.
In her message at the state
luncheon she hosted for the Palau leader, President Gloria Arroyo
said that “with the expansion of the air service agreement, the
two-way exchange of tourists will be bigger than ever.”
The Amendment to the Bilateral
Air Services Agreement will pave the way for the expansion of the
2003 air services agreement between the two countries.
She added that the decision of
the Philippines and Palau to expand
their air agreement comes at a
time when the two Pacific countries are making a name as favorable
diving sites in the world.
The agreement on academic
cooperation will allow the two countries to promote cooperation in
higher education and professional training, including the
development of institutional linkages at the undergraduate and
postgraduate levels.
Commission on Higher Education
Chairman Romulo Neri signed for the Philippines, while Minister of
State Temmy Shmull signed for Palau.
The agreement on medical tourism
would further enhance bilateral relations in the field, and
facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The Philippines and Palau have
also agreed to exert efforts to enhance cooperation on
telecommunications.
“Indeed, it is important for us
to work together in the face of global
forces that threaten the
resiliency of our economy,” the President said.
--Angelo S. Samonte
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