The United Kingdom (UK) is seeing "an exciting time" in its relationship with the Philippines as it has experienced the highest level of trade in goods and services with the latter.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly made the pronouncement on Tuesday, August 29, as he met Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila to pursue stronger ties with the Philippines.
"Trade between the UK and the Philippines is now the highest it's ever been—around £2.4 billion in goods and services. We have strong people-to-people links, and we are grateful to have over 47,000 Filipino healthcare workers," Cleverly said in his opening remark.
During his trip, Cleverly signed with Manalo a Joint Statement of Intent to develop a Framework Agreement, which is envisioned to define the scope of bilateral cooperation under the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership.
The UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership was launched in 2021 to forge closer ties in trade and investment, technology, and security and defense.
"Our UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership benefits our people, including on climate, trade, science and tech, and shared security," Cleverly said as he noted that the ties between the two countries are "founded on our shared values, and shared belief in openness, freedom and the rule of law."
Manalo welcomed UK's support as he said it "is an important long-standing partner of the Philippines, especially in this time of geographic upheavals, economic disruptions, and challenges to the rule of law."
"Foreign Secretary Cleverly's visit to Manila, the first British foreign secretary to do so since 2016, heartens us," he said.
The reason for which is that his visit "also signals the strengthening of our bilateral ties in trade, investments, security, maritime cooperation, and other fields," Manalo added.
"Seventy seven years after we established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the UK remains strong and robust," Manalo said.
Manalo expressed his hope that the Philippines-UK "commitment to further elevate our Enhanced Partnership will promote better understanding, and enrich the enduring bonds of friendship between our governments and peoples."