President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Brussels, Belgium on Sunday, set to push for the country’s priorities on trade, maritime cooperation, and climate action at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) Summit.
In his departure speech at the Maharlika Hall at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, President Marcos said this would be the first meeting between ASEAN and EU member states’ leaders at the European Union headquarters.
“I am pleased to highlight the Philippines’ role as the country coordinator for ASEAN in its dialogue relations with the EU,” Mr. Marcos said.
“And after the successful series of Summits hosted by ASEAN Chair Cambodia last month, I look forward to a productive and meaningful Summit that recognizes ASEAN and the EU’s four-and-a-half decades of long-standing relations,” Mr. Marcos pointed out.
The President also said the summit is celebrating 45 years of ASEAN-EU relations with in-depth discussions on the most relevant issues concerning both regional organizations, such as global and regional security challenges, sustainable development, and economic cooperation, among other things.
Mr. Marcos will deliver his remarks at the C-Suite Luncheon and the ASEAN-EU business summit, saying the events serve as an opportunity to “drum up economic interests once again, and engagement for the Philippines in view of the presence of key business leaders in Europe at the event.”
The President will also call on King Philippe of Belgium, as well as hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts in Europe.
In a briefing on Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said Mr. Marcos is expected to hold ten bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU summit.
The President is expected to meet with the King of Belgium, leaders of Estonia, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, and the EU.
Mr. Marcos will also meet with the business community and will have one-on-one meetings with corporations that will be expanding their presence in the Philippines.
The President is also expected to meet the Filipino community on the first day of his trip to Belgium.