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.
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.
Great meeting @teddyboylocsin. The Philippines is an important partner, a country of over 100m people and a major economy of the present and future. The Enhanced Partnership we agreed today will forge closer ties in:
Trade & investment
Tech
Security & defence pic.twitter.com/WL3hEbsiPo
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) November 5, 2021
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.
Had a productive meeting and deep discussions with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. We agreed to launch the PH-UK Enhanced Partnership and work closer on defense cooperation, cyber security, green investments and combatting COVID. @trussliz @DFAPHL @FCDOGovUK pic.twitter.com/amiY57rP02
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) November 5, 2021
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.
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. Every commitment I made I will personally follow up and report progress or lack of it to the UK ambassador. https://t.co/SWRVZTd5m6
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) November 5, 2021