The ambassadors of the European Union and Australia are looking forward to increased collaboration with the Philippines this 2024 as they attended President Marcos’ vin d'honneur.
(From left) Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu poses for a photo with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos during the vin d'honneur held in Malacañang. (Photo from Amb. Yu via X post)
Ambassadors Luc Veron of the European Union and Hae Kyong Yu of Australia expressed their excitement after attending the first vin d'honneur this year on Thursday night, Jan. 11, at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace.
“Thank you, President @bongbongmarcos and First Lady Liza Marcos, for the invitation on the occasion of the New Year,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“We are thrilled to embark on the journey towards achieving milestones with the Philippines in 2024 as we enter into #EUPH60. (European Union) is excited to strengthen its partnership with (Philippines),” the envoy added.
Yu also attended the occasion and said she was honored for the opportunity to speak with Marcos.
“Our discussion centered on the next exciting phase of our (Australia-Philippines) Strategic Partnership. Australia and the Philippines will be doing more together to create a stable, secure and prosperous region,” she wrote also on X.
Aside from Veron and Yu, 54 other ambassadors and heads of 11 international organizations attended the event.
The term vin d'honneur, originating from the French tradition meaning “wine of honor,” is observed biannually in the Philippines, commemorating both the New Year and the anniversary of the nation’s independence every June 12.
In his message for the occasion, the President conveyed his optimism for 2024 and recalled bilateral relations and diplomatic accomplishments the past year.
He also noted a positive economic outlook given the Philippines’ strong economic performance.
Marcos expressed his gratitude to the ambassadors for collaborating with his administration in creating new opportunities for the Philippines and their respective countries.
“I am proud to have closely worked with many of you on many initiatives and endeavors since I assumed the Presidency in the middle of 2022,” he said.
“I hope that we will continue to serve as able agents of our respective governments and countries in furthering the breadth and depth of our bilateral ties as well as in exploring collaboration in regional and multilateral fronts.”
In turn, Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See and dean of the diplomatic corps, conveyed his message on behalf of the diplomatic community in the country.