Queen Sofia Promises Aquino: Spain’ll Help Its Former Colony

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, right, smiles with Queen Sofia of Spain during a dinner in her honor at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. The queen is on her fourth visit to this former Spanish colony for talks with top Philippine officials including President Aquino. Aquino said Spain is the Philippines’ 31st largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching 329.6 million U.S. dollars last year. Queen Sofia, for her part, vowed to continue to help the Philippines with disaster preparedness. The Queen will also visit some Spanish-funded projects in the northern province of Albay and southern city of Zamboanga before leaving the country on Friday. <AP/NEWSis>

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