The Philippines and Portugal on Friday achieved a "milestone" after the top diplomats of both countries met for the first time in Manila to further ties, which the two sides admitted to have not been taken advantage of since 1946. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo sat down with Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho to discuss possible cooperation in trade and investment; defense, maritime and security; agriculture; energy; and food security. There will also be cooperation on the cultural aspect, with Manalo disclosing that both countries were set to make headway through upcoming joint projects on research and published manuscripts that will explore the Philippines and Portugal's historical connection. "His [Cravinho's] official visit is a milestone activity in Portugal bilateral relations, as this is the first visit to the Philippines of a foreign minister of Portugal," Manalo said in his speech made after his bilateral talk with his Portuguese counterpart. In pursuing relations with Manila, Cravinho noted that the two governments "have not in the last few years...taken full advantage of all the possibilities that do exist in the political field" despite the 77 years of good diplomatic relations. Green transition and renewable energy are among the areas Portugal considers to be tying up with the Philippines, the Portuguese diplomat said. Photo courtesy of Portuguese Foreign Ministry
"We will do well to take advantage of the green transition, in which renewable energy is such an important part," he said. He added that there "is plenty of interest on the part of Portuguese companies for all that is taking place here in the Philippines." "The digital transition is also another arena of opportunities for Portuguese companies for Philippine counterparts," Cravinho added.