'We stand united': EU envoy welcomes PH participation in Swiss peace summit
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron on Tuesday, June 4, highlighted the importance of the Philippines participating at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15, wherein issues such as food security, nuclear security, and the war in Ukraine are to be discussed.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. talks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a bilateral meeting held in Malacañan on June 3, 2024. (Zelenskyy/X)
The envoy expressed his view through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Looking forward to the Philippines' active involvement in the inaugural Summit on Peace in Ukraine, taking place in Switzerland on June 15-16, 2024,” he wrote.
“The voice of (Philippine flag) is important as we stand united for international law,” he added.
Veron also reposted a link to an article by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on the strengthening relations between Ukraine and the Philippines.
On Monday, June 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his surprise visit to Manila was to personally invite President Marcos to the summit in Switzerland.
He thanked the Chief Executive for the support and stressed the importance of Marcos’ attendance.
"Your voice is very important. This region is very important," Zelenskyy said.
In February last year, both leaders talked on the phone about deepening the Philippines-Ukraine relationship.
Marcos, in a remark in November 2022, described the war between the two European countries as “unacceptable” and urged both parties to resolve the conflict diplomatically.
Russia started invading Ukraine in February 2022.
According to Zelenskyy, one of the topics to be discussed in the peace summit is how some 20,000 Ukrainian children can come home from occupied territories.