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Arroyo likely to skip Vietnam forum next month


Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is likely to skip the World Economic Forum-East Asia in Vietnam early next month, a Malacañang official said on Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has informed him that President Arroyo has no scheduled visit to Ho Chi Minh City where the forum would be held on June 6-7. “At this point wala pang planong pumunta sa Vietnam ang Pangulo, ayon na sa DFA (According to the DFA the President has no plans of going to Vietnam as this point)," Olivar said. The Vietnamese government invited President Arroyo last May 12 to visit Ho Chi Minh City next month for the 19th World Economic Forum on East Asia. Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu, also the deputy director of the HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs, delivered the invitation to President Arroyo through Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza. President Arroyo, however, is likely to go on an official visit to China on June 8-9 to attend the Philippine National Day celebration at Shanghai World Expo, which coincides with Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. She is expected to visit the Philippine Pavilion leased in the Expo Site there. President Arroyo will step down from office on June 30 and will immediately assume her new position as congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga province at the House of Representatives. The Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, started last May 1 and is ongoing until October 31. The Chinese government expects the display of cultures all over the world to draw 70 million visitors. The Department of Tourism is promoting the Philippines as a country of natural sceneries and rich historical culture. Products, services, and cultural performances from the Philippines are showcased in the pavilion.- KBK, GMANews.TV

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