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Arroyo Arrives in Malaysia For State Visit
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo arrived in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at putting relations between Manila and Kuala Lumpur on a stronger footing.
This is her first trip abroad since assuming the presidency of the nation of some 74 million people in January, replacing former President Joseph Estrada.
Arroyo was met on arrival at the KL International Airport (KLIA) by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
She was accompanied by her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, and a 90- member delegation.
Soon after arrival, Arroyo headed for Parliament Square where she was accorded a state welcome by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (Supreme Head of State).
Present were Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
Mahathir and his wife, Hasmah Mohamed Ali, are scheduled to call on Arroyo at her hotel this afternoon.
After a business luncheon hosted by Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Jose Brilliantes, Arroyo will proceed to Putrajaya for a meeting with Mahathir at the Prime Minister's Office.
This will be followed by a delegation meeting and the signing of bilateral agreements between Malaysia and the Philippines.
Tonight, Arroyo will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, followed by a state banquet.
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