COVID response, trade, tech, security partnership between PH and UK enhanced


The Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to launch an "enhanced partnership" on trade and investment, technology, security and defense, and coronavirus (COVID-19) response, among others.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Photo from Twitter / Foreign Secretary Liz Truss)

In a tweet late Friday evening (Manila time), British Liz Truss said she had a "great meeting" with Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

"Great meeting @teddyboylocsin. The Philippines is an important partner, a country of over 100m (million) people and a major economy of the present and future," she tweeted along with emojis of the British and Philippine flags.

"The Enhanced Partnership we agreed today will forge closer ties in Trade & Investment, Tech, Security & ," she added, with each field of partnership accompanied by green checkmarks.

In his own tweets, Locsin echoed Truss's sentiment about them having a "productive meeting" and "deep discussions".

Aside from the fields of cooperation mentioned by the British Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, Locsin added that they also talked about (COVID-19) response.

"We agreed to launch the PH-UK Enhanced Partnership and work closer on defense cooperation, cyber security, green investments, and combatting COVID," he said.

"An enjoyable conversation; candid and hopeful for a significant British presence—not just Western but British—that will enhance Southeast Asian influence in world affairs," he added.

Locsin said he will personally follow up developments with the new British Ambassador to the Philippine Laure Beaufils.

"Every commitment I made I will personally follow up and report progress or lack of it to the UK ambassador," he said.