President Duterte welcomed the newly designated ambassadors of the European Union (EU) and four other countries who presented their diplomatic credentials in Malacañang on Wednesday afternoon.
The new ambassadors were Luc Véron of the EU, Brazil’s Antonio José Maria De Souza e Silva, South Korea’s Kim In-chul, Colombia’s Marcela Ordoñez Fernandez and France’s Michèle Boccoz.
In welcoming Veron, Mr. Duterte said “deep respect for democracy and the rule of law” by the Europe and the Philippines would serve as “a solid foundation for robust cooperation on the basis of mutual trust, respect and benefit.”
“We wish to partner with the EU to protect and promote all rights of all, especially the human rights of migrant workers,” the President added.
Veron, for his part, said the trade bloc has “a strategic interest in a stable, prosperous and secured Philippines,” adding, “The EU is working with the Philippines to expand trade and investment, to promote maritime security and to maintain open and safe shipping routes.”
“[T]he EU is willing to have a productive political relationship with the Philippine government, notably to support the Philippines in its effort to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and its effort to restart its economy,” Veron said.
Forging stronger ties
The President expressed hope of forging stronger ties in areas of mutual interest such as trade, defense, climate change and combating the coronavirus pandemic with the four countries.
Mr. Duterte welcomed Brazil’s delivery of six new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Philippine Air Force last year, calling Manila’s defense partnership with the South American nation “very important.”
He also thanked South Korea’s commitment to the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program and for its support for the Philippines’s defense modernization program.