Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will be having a busy schedule in the first month of the year as he is set to meet two foreign top diplomats in Manila and fly to at least three countries to raise the Philippines' position on various global issues.
Manalo will sit down with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who will be in Manila from Jan. 9 to 10 for the 7th Philippines-Indonesian Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC); and with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who will be in Manila from Jan. 11 to 12 as part of her visit to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Expected during Manalo and Marsudi's meeting is a discussion over the Philippines and Indonesia's "mutual concern" and the situation of their bilateral relations; while during Manalo and Baerbock's talk is a review and the possible enhancement of the Philippines and Germany's ties on trade and investment, cultural cooperation and multilateralism.
During a press briefing on Monday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza added Manalo will also be flying to Uganda for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, to Laos for ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat and to Belgium for ASEAN-European Union Summit.
"This will be a hectic first quarter. As you see, we've started with several visits and meetings already, and that will continue for the first quarter," Daza said.
Bilateral meetings
Manalo will conduct bilateral meetings with Marsudi and Baerbock in Manila.
His talks with the Indonesian diplomat will coincide with the visit of President Joko Widodo in the Philippines.
The Philippines and Indonesia has had robust ties after the signing of agreements during former President Duterte's term in the following:
defense and security logistics
- maritime concern
- technical cooperation
- border crossing patrols
- trade
- cultural operation
- trade and economic cooperation
- immigration
- anti-narcotics and anti-transnational crime
- anti-terrorism cooperation
- anti-money laundering
Meanwhile, Manalo is also expected to share his view with Baerbock about the situation in the Indo-Pacific.
"What is clear is there is commonality between the Philippines and Germany when it comes to the importance of a rules based order," Daza said, noting Germany's support for the Philippines claim over the sea dispute.
Aside from meeting with Manalo, the German diplomat will also visit the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which is expected to get a boost of support from Berlin.
Engagements abroad
On the other hand, Manalo will fly to the Ugandan capital of Kampala for the NAM Summit to be held from Jan. 19 to 20. NAM is a forum of 120 countries not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc to advance the interests of developing countries in the context of Cold War confrontation.
"The Philippines will reaffirm its support to NAM principles and its role in promoting peace and stability, constructive multilateralism and in the face of current global challenges," Daza said.
"In his meetings at the sidelines of the summit, Secretary Manalo will highlight Philippine solidarity with developing and middle income countries and its desire to promote stronger bilateral relations with African nations," he added.
On Jan. 28 to 29, Manalo will be in Luang Prabang in Laos for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat. There, Laos will outline its priorities as the next ASEAN chairman.
"The meeting will also discuss ASEAN external relations and have an exchange of views on mutual international issues," Daza said.
Lastly, Manalo will be in Brussels on Feb. 2 to attend the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting and the EU-Indo-Pacific Forum. His presence in the events is significant as the Philippines is the country coordinator for the ASEAN-EU relations.
"The meeting will highlight updates on the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action 2023 to 2027, and the comprehensive air transport agreement," Daza said.
While the EU-Indo-Pacific Forum will "delve on regional politics and security, shared prosperity and connectivity, and green transmission and energy security," she added.