Two European ambassadors end tour of duty in the Philippines

Finnish ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö pays President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a farewell call in Malacañang on Monday, July 8. —photo from PCO

MANILA, Philippines — The Finnish and Irish ambassadors made farewell visits to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday in Malacañang.

In his farewell call on Marcos, Finnish ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö thanked the President for the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki this year.

“I’m extremely happy that the Philippines is reopening in Helsinki. So, thank you for that. It’s very, very interesting,” he added.

READ: PH to open Helsinki embassy this year

Marcos in response then stressed the importance of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki as it builds connections with Finland, noting that it would not only be beneficial for the two countries but “for everyone else.”

“These relationships provide us a solid footing in terms of our relationships around them with not only amongst ourselves, but [also] with other countries,” President Marcos said.

The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki was closed in October 2012, but was later approved by the Senate in November 2022 to reopen.

Irish ambassador William John Carlos in his farewell call on President Marcos in Malacañang on Monday, July 8. —photo from PCO

Meanwhile, Irish ambassador William John Carlos told Marcos how difficult it is for him to leave the country due to his attachment to Filipino hospitality and the country’s culture.

“[What] I like about here as well is the accessibility of the people. And the humor, it’s something that we connect with,” Carlos said.

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“There’s a lot of connection between my country and your country.  There’s a growing relationship between Ireland and the Philippines,” he added.

Marcos, for his part, expressed joy in the fact that Carlos had a wonderful stay in the country.

The Philippines and Ireland established diplomatic relations in July 1984.