The Philippines and Denmark have signed four documents that will benefit Filipino seafarers as well as health care workers and boost the two countries' relations on green technologies.
During the visit of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Manila, he and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo witnessed on Monday, Dec. 9, the signing of the following documents:
- Memorandum of Understanding on Green Skills Academy ‚ an agreement between the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines and Aprendio, a Danish startup company for the Green Skills Academy, which will now be expanded to be an offering for AMOSUP’s more than 130,000 members, primarily seafarers and engineers.
The agreement provides students with a solid foundation in green technologies, preparing them for future roles in the green transition, both in the Philippines and abroad, particularly for Danish companies seeking skilled green professionals;
- Joint Letter of Intent on the Cooperation in Education, Training, and Recruitment of Filipino Nursing Professionals and Healthcare Assistants — an agreement that underscores both countries' commitment to explore a possible cooperation framework in the sustainable recruitment of Filipino nurses and healthcare assistants to Denmark;
- Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Cooperation — an agreement between Denmark and the Philippines that identifies opportunities to collaborate in areas of cybersecurity, e-governance, and digital connectivity; and
- Letter of Intent on Green Corridor Project in the Philippines — a letter that came after the Philippines has been selected by the US and Danish governments for a technical cooperation through a pre-feasibility study to help facilitate the establishment of a green shipping corridor in the Philippines.
Through the guidance of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, the study will analyse the current Philippine landscape on alternative fuels, port infrastructure, trade routes, and relevant regulations
Rasmussen's Manila visit, the first for a Danish foreign minister in 25 years, came as the Philippines and Denmark marked the 78th year of diplomatic relations.
For his part, Manalo said Rasmussen's trip would bring the two countries' relations "a notch higher, a step further."
"Following our meeting...I have full confidence and hope that our countries will continue to go on full throttle to further deepen our partnerships and will result in closer relations between our countries," Manalo said.