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PH, UK eye new maritime, trade cooperation deals

Philippines | National

PH, UK eye new maritime, trade cooperation deals

By Raymund Antonio

The Philippines and the United Kingdom are working to conclude new agreements in maritime, defense, and trade, among others, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West and DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro shake hands during their meeting. (DFA photo)

In an X (formerly Twitter) post on Wednesday, Feb. 5, the DFA official shared about her meeting with UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West during the 2nd Strategic Dialogue in London.

“We look forward to concluding new agreements in maritime, defense, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), financial cooperation and in health sectors,” Lazaro wrote.

West, in an X post, highlighted the significance of the “growing partnership” between the Philippines and UK.

She said that the partnership has boosted trade and investment, with trade increasing by 14 percent compared to 2022 levels.

The minister added that they are “upholding maritime security and UNCLOS,” referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and “addressing the global climate crisis.”

“Good to discuss these issues with @USecLazaro in yesterday's Strategic Dialogue,” West wrote.

In a statement by the DFA, it described the Strategic Dialogue as an “outcome of the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership officially launched in November 2021.”

Since then, the countries have hosted various meetings in five strategic areas of cooperation, or the “pillars” of the partnership.

These are in the areas of political affairs, defense, maritime, economic and trade, and climate and environment.

Related Tags

Maritime Cooperation United Kingdom Indo Pacific Region DFA

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