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President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s upcoming official visit to Kuala Lumpur is expected to further deepen the ties between the Philippines and Malaysia, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. ”The visit hopes to further deepen Philippines-Malaysia ties for mutual benefit of the two countries and their people,” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said in a pre-departure press briefing in Malacanang.

Jose, an upcoming ambassador to Malaysia, said President Duterte will visit Malaysia on Nov. 9 and 10 as part of his introductory visits to countries in the Southeast Asian region.

He said the President is expected to hold bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohammad Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the bilateral issues expected to be discussed, Jose said, are on economic and security cooperation, including Malaysia’s role in the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process.

He said other issues to be tackled include security issue in Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, counter-terrorism and the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in 2017.

”Malaysia has played a constructive role in helping bring peace and stability to Southern Philippines and the two countries are cooperating to confront transnational concerns, among other issues,” Jose said.

”The Philippines looks upon Malaysia, both as a brother nation and as a dependable partner, not only bilaterally but also within the larger context of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) and our beloved ASEAN Community,” he added.

Jose said the Philippines and Malaysia have had frequent exchanges of officials at all levels, being two of the founding members of ASEAN.

”Malaysia is the Philippines 10th largest trading partner in 2015 and is the second largest investor among all ASEAN countries in the Philippines,” he said.

Before his official visit to Malaysia, Jose said President Duterte will pass by Bangkok to pay his respects to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

”He has no other business there but to pay respects to the late Thai King. He will be there (in Thailand) for maybe three hours only,” Jose said.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, died on Oct. 13 at the age of 88.