FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Villamor Air Base before flying to Indonesia on September 4, 2023, for the 43rd Asean Summit. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged European countries to start considering establishing more partnerships with countries in Asia, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“I think it is actually wise in terms of European countries, Switzerland included, to look to Asean, to look to Asia. Although there are other geopolitical disturbances, shall we say, but the opportunities are quite exciting,” a Palace statement released Thursday quoted the Chief Executive as saying.
The Palace said Marcos accepted the credentials of Swiss Confederation resident Ambassador-designate Nicolas Brühl in Malacañang, where the President touted Asean’s fortified cooperation.
“Asean leaders have come together to really strengthen the economic systems that we have in place, the weaknesses that have shown up during the pandemic. We’re all trying to learn the lessons that the pandemic brought with it,” he said.
Marcos also emphasized that he valued the smooth partnership and alliance between the Philippines and Switzerland.
The Palace said the Philippines and Switzerland have more than 65 years of bilateral relations.