Israel, PH team up on environmental protection
Published Jun 5, 2023 06:39 am
Israel and the Philippines will share best practices on environmental protection and provide training for each others' experts and scientists as the two countries pursue another area of cooperation on their 65th year of diplomatic relations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Monday signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection, which will allow Tel Aviv and Manila to address common challenges related to the environment as well as preserve the ecosystem, manage disaster risk, and promote and disseminate environmental technologies.
The signing of the agreement came as Cohen arrived in Manila on Sunday, June 5, to mark the first-ever visit to the Philippines of an Israeli top diplomat in 56 years. His trip is aimed at boosting "the historically friendly relations" between the two countries, the Israeli Embassy in Manila said.
The agreement will also provide the two countries to tackle water pollution, protect biodiversity, adapt to climate change, prepare their response for environmental emergencies and promote environmental technologies.
Before the signing of the diplomatic notes, Cohen sat down with Manalo for a bilateral talk at the Manila Hotel, where they discussed priority areas of cooperation, which included defense and security, tourism, trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.
In his opening speech, Cohen said he was seeing a "bright future" for Israel-Philippine relations, which he was seeking to further expand.
Cohen sought for a direct flight between the two countries to make stronger relations possible, particularly in tourism and business.
The Israeli official also paid tribute to former president Manuel L. Quezon, who implemented an "Open Door" policy during World War II to save about a thousand Jews.
For his part, Manalo emphasized the importance of confidence-building with key partners, which include Israel, and expressed optimism to sustain positive momentum of the two countries' relations.
In his opening speech, Cohen said he was seeing a "bright future" for Israel-Philippine relations, which he was seeking to further expand.
Cohen sought for a direct flight between the two countries to make stronger relations possible, particularly in tourism and business.
The Israeli official also paid tribute to former president Manuel L. Quezon, who implemented an "Open Door" policy during World War II to save about a thousand Jews.
For his part, Manalo emphasized the importance of confidence-building with key partners, which include Israel, and expressed optimism to sustain positive momentum of the two countries' relations.