President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to build closer ties and explore partnerships with other countries.
In a statement on Thursday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that Marcos emphasized this pledge after meeting with several newly designated ambassadors in Malacañang.
During his meeting with Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurminen, Marcos expressed gratitude to Finland for welcoming Filipinos and expanding their opportunities in the Nordic country.
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“Your government has always been very welcoming and has always been very sympathetic to our nationals. So, for that we are grateful,” the PCO quoted Marcos as saying in a statement.
Nurminen, meanwhile, expressed the interest of the Finnish government in deepening relations with the Philippines on labor mobility, covering both training and education opportunities.
Marcos also met with EU Ambassador-designate Mariomassimo Santoro, where he acknowledged the ongoing efforts of both the EU and the Philippines to further strengthen their cooperation.
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“We have already achieved a great deal between the EU and the Philippines and I look forward to doing much more in the time that you are here with us,” Marcos said.
Santoro thanked Marcos and hailed the Philippines’ “excellent work” in coordinating with the EU.
“I am a concrete witness of the excellent work that the Philippines has done in their capacity [as] coordinator in the relationship with Europe,” he said.
Marcos also welcomed Irish Ambassador-designate Emma Hickey and noted that, while the Philippines and Ireland share a non-traditional relationship, “the role of continuing engagements is becoming more significant.”
“Ireland is literally halfway around the world from the Philippines. And it’s not what you would consider a traditional trading partner with the Philippines,” he said.
“The world has changed a great deal. Such physical distances seemed to have lost their importance. It’s necessary now to engage every part of the world,” he added.