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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA chief Manalo meets foreign ministers in Munich conference

DFA chief Manalo meets foreign ministers in Munich conference

Published Feb 19, 2023 12:54 pm

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo met with his counterparts from various European countries to discuss international and regional matters, including the Philippines’ bilateral ties that cover defense cooperation, agriculture, and trade, among others, during the 2023 Munich Security Conference (MSC).

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (left) and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (right) sign the Philippine-Belgium Joint Plan of Action (JPOA). (Photo from DFA Sec. Manalo/Twitter)

The official met with foreign ministers from Finland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Netherlands, and Sweden during the world’s leading forum on international security.

The conference was held from Feb. 17 to 19.

Aside from his foreign counterparts, the country’s top diplomat also had a “brief exchange” with United States Senator James Risch “to reaffirm the growing PH and US ties.”

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (right) and US Senator James Risch (left) (Photo from DFA chief Manalo via Twitter)

Manalo also met with Reinhard Bütikofer, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament at MSC2023 where they “had insightful exchange on ASEAN-EU relations and regional security issues.”

“We also talked abt inter-parliamentary cooperation,” he said in a tweet.

His meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto was described as “productive” as they touched “about enhancing PH-Finland bilateral ties thru sustained high-level exchanges & exploring cooperation in multiple sectors.”

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (left) and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of Finland shake hands during a meeting in Munich, Germany. (Photo from DFA Sec. Manalo/Twitter)

Manalo met with Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, which he considered a “highlight of 2023.”

“We hope to enhance our bilateral ties as our two countries tackle the challenges of post-pandemic recovery,” he wrote.

The official also took the opportunity to sign the Philippine-Belgium Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) with Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

“The JPOA paves the way for stronger bilateral cooperation & reaffirms our mutual commitment to cooperate on regional & global issues of mutual concern,” Manalo said.

He then met with Netherlands Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra “to discuss PH-Netherlands ties, which are bolstered by sustained diplomatic exchanges, strong trade, and links in the maritime, agriculture and water sectors.”

Meeting of DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (left) and Netherlands Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra (right) (Photo from DFA chief Manalo via Twitter)

They also talked about Ukraine and the South China Sea issue.

“Had fruitful discussions with Foreign Minister @TobiasBillstrom and Defense Minister @PlJonson in #Munich. We look forward to formalizing PH-Sweden defense cooperation, which will deepen our bilateral ties,” he tweeted.

Related Tags

finland DFA Enrique Manalo sweden munich security conference james risch Jan Lipavsky
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