20 February 2014 – The Philippines and Argentina held the 2nd Bilateral Consultation Meeting in Manila yesterday, February 19. The Philippine delegation was led by Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia while Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Worship Undersecretary for Foreign Policy Maria del Carmen Squell led the Argentine delegation.
Undersecretary Garcia and Undersecretary Squeff affirmed the solid ties between the Philippines and Argentina, which are founded on mutual respect, shared heritage and a common commitment to democracy and open economies. The bonds of friendship between their two peoples underpin the two countries’ common desire to forge stronger and closer relations between their societies.
The two countries agreed to capitalize on their close historic-cultural affinities and transform them into solid opportunities for cooperation. The Philippines and Argentina agreed to expand bilateral trade, increase trade missions and business meetings to take advantage of economic complementaries in both countries.
The two sides commended the work of the Working Group on Technical Cooperation and agreed to meet again to draft the Plan of Action for 2015-2017 in Buenos Aires in the last quarter of 2014.
The two countries’ cooperation in the areas of culture, education, sports and diplomatic training offers a lot of potential in increasing people-to-people contacts between their citizens and agreed to convene this year the 1st meeting of the Working Group on Cultural Cooperation.
Undersecretary Garcia briefed the Argentine delegation of the successes in the Philippine Government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, developments in ASEAN including maritime issues, and the progress in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas severely damaged by Typhoon Yolanda. Undersecretary Garcia expressed the Philippine government’s sincere appreciation for the sympathies of the Argentine people.
Undersecretary Squeff briefed the Philippine delegation on the developments in Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Argentina also shared its experience in the promotion and protection of human rights.
The two sides agreed that their countries will continue to work together in addressing global issues of mutual concern mainly through common approaches in multilateral platforms. END
