Swiss president to make 1st state visit to RP

08/02/2008 | 06:20 PM

MANILA, Philippines — Swiss President Pascal Couchepin will visit the Philippines on Aug. 11 and 12 to renew and strengthen relations between the two countries, Malacañang said on Saturday.

In a press statement, the Palace said this will be the first-ever visit to the country of an incumbent Swiss president.

The Palace statement said President Couchepin will be accompanied by his spouse, Madame Brigitte Couchepin.

In Manila, President Couchepin will meet President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other political and economic policy makers as part of his two-day visit in the country.

Mr. Couchepin, who is also head of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs, will also visit the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which Switzerland supports. - GMANews.TV

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