Swiss foreign minister to visit PH on Feb. 8

MANILA, Philippines — Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is set to visit Manila on February 8, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday. 

In a statement, the DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will meet Cassis to discuss bilateral relations between the Philippines and Switzerland and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. 

Cassis is carrying out a task to visit selected countries within the Asia-Pacific region which includes the Philippines, South Korea, and China.

“Foreign Minister Cassis’ trip to Manila will mark the first time since 2008 that a Swiss Foreign Minister is visiting the country,” said the DFA. 

“The Philippines and Switzerland have been enjoying warm and friendly bilateral relations for the past 67 years,” it added. 

DFA said apart from the bilateral talks, Cassis will also call on high-level officials of the Philippine government. 

The agency, however, did not provide additional information.

According to DFA, over 15,000 Filipinos are presently residing in Switzerland, including overseas Filipino workers currently employed in the following industries: information technology, engineering, medical and allied health sectors.