Philippines and Argentina Affirm Ties in 3rd Bilateral Consultation Meeting
31 August 2017 BUENOS AIRES – The Philippines and Argentina advanced their partnership with the convening of its regular high-level meeting recently.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo co-chaired with his Argentine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Gustavo Zlauvinen, the 3rd Philippines-Argentina Bilateral Consultation Meeting at the historic Palacio San Martin of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 24 August 2017.
The two officials affirmed both countries’ mutual commitment to elevate the partnership to a more dynamic and meaningful level, and agreed to undertake concrete steps to implement agreements that will further boost people-to-people exchanges, cultural cooperation, tourism, educational exchanges, sports, cooperation between diplomatic academies, and agricultural and technical cooperation.
They also exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism, as well as the potential for expanding inter-regional dialogue through the Forum for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation and the United Nations.
“The Philippines is very keen to expand its horizons in Latin America, and Argentina is on one of our most important partners in the region. Advancing bilateral cooperation with Argentina is very much in line with the President’s vision of engaging the world and deepening collaboration with non-traditional partners”, remarked Undersecretary Manalo.
The two sides identified around 20 concrete cooperation activities ready for implementation as soon as possible.
This is the third bilateral consultation meeting between the Philippines and Argentina. The last one was held in Manila in February 2014.
Relations between the Philippines and Argentina are set to reach a milestone in 2018, when both countries will mark 70 years since formal diplomatic relations were established.
