Duterte reaffirms diplomatic ties with India, Chile, Hungary, Russia, Pakistan, Finland and Egypt

December 3 ------ President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday reaffirmed the Philippines’ bilateral ties with the Republic of India, Republic of Chile, Hungary, the Russian Federation, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Finland, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The presentation of credentials by the envoys from each country were held in Malacañang virtually, in consideration of the restrictions posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement issued by Malacañang, President Duterte welcomed Shambu S. Kumaran as Ambassador of the Republic of India and said that Philippines-India bilateral relationship as he looks forward to further enhancing cooperation with India on defense and security, trade and investments, and in combating the pandemic. Ambassador Kumaran conveyed the warm greetings of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Duterte.

India and the Philippines are building “a new and modern relationship” based on their centuries-old friendship, the Ambassador noted. He further stated that India will work with the Philippines to ensure a stable and progressive Indo-Pacific region by enhancing cooperation on defense and maritime security, space science, the digital economy, and pandemic response. As Claudio Rojas assumes his post as Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the Philippines, the President thanked the Chilean government for the hospitality extended to Filipinos working and living in Chile and for the assistance in the repatriation of Filipino seafarers stranded during the pandemic.

Ambassador Rojas, in turn, highlighted how the Philippines supported Chile in its membership bid in APEC and as ASEAN’s development partner. As the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations next year, Rojas committed to strengthen bilateral trade and cultural exchanges and deepen mutual understanding. Duterte said as Ambassador of Hungary Titanilla Tóth presented his credentials took note of the strong momentum of high-level exchanges between the Philippines and Hungary as evidenced by the recent visit of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjartó to Manila in October and the Philippines’ hosting of the 2nd meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation this week.

President Duterte thanked Hungary for supporting the country in multilateral fora in line with its government’s policy of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries. President Duterte also conveyed appreciation for the scholarships given to Filipino students pursuing advanced degrees in Hungary. Ambassador Tóth, for her part, assured the President that Hungary is “a stable and reliable partner” of the Philippines in Europe as Hungary will focus on expanding trade and educational and cultural exchanges in order to bring the relations to new heights.

Russia is “a good friend and partner,” said Duterte as he welcomed Marat Pavlov as Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines. The President stated that Philippines-Russia engagement in defense and security, health, science and technology, and the economy has deepened in recent years. The President thanked Russia for its offer to supply the country with the Sputnik V vaccine and share its technology on vaccine reproduction. He also reiterated his invitation for President Vladimir Putin to visit the Philippines, adding that “It will be an opportunity to celebrate and reaffirm the enduring friendship and cooperation between our countries.”

For his part, Ambassador Pavlov, stated that to mark this 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Russia and the Philippines should work towards the implementation of launched projects, signing of new agreements, and enlarging interaction in international fora like the United Nations. He added that Russia is keen on stepping up efforts to promote people-to-people connectivity through cultural and educational exchanges. He stressed that collaboration on the possible distribution and production of Sputnik V in the Philippines would greatly contribute to the growth of Russian-Philippine relations.

President Duterte accepted the credentials Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi as Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Philippines and recalled his visit aboard the Navy Ship PNS Saif in 2017. He also conveyed the Philippines’ interest to expand cooperation with Pakistan, in terms of military-to-military exchanges and sharing of intelligence and best practices, most notably on countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Kazi praised Duterte’s leadership and farsighted policies and success in securing peace and development in Mindanao and addressing the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said Pakistan aims to further deepen its political, economic, educational, cultural, and people-to-people ties with the Philippines. President Duterte conveyed his best wishes to Juha Markus Pyykkö as Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines. He also welcomed Finland’s decision to re- open its Embassy in Manila, expressing hope for strengthened cooperative ties, especially in ICT, renewable energy, and clean technology.

The President also thanked Finland for its support to the government’s peace processes throughout the years. Ambassador Pyykkö, for his part, conveyed his appreciation and affirmed that Finland aims to increase interactions with the Philippines in the areas of waste-to-energy technologies, renewable energy and the circular economy, digitalization, health technologies, and education.

President Duterte warmly welcomed Ahmed Shehabeldin as Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Philippines and conveyed the government’s keen interest to work closely with Egypt in the fields of trade, agriculture, and culture, as well as in security and combatting terrorism and violent extremism. For his part, Ambassador Shehabeldin, committed to explore all avenues for cooperation and open a new chapter in Philippines-Egypt relations as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Source: gmanetwork.com