The Philippines has agreed to explore cooperation with Ireland in the fields of education, culture, agriculture and maritime ties, as well as to reinvigorate bilateral ties with Algeria.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Irish Ambassador to the Philippines William Carlos discussed possible cooperation in various fields.
The Department of Foreign Affairs official and the Irish envoy both affirmed the commitment to work “towards further cultivating the growing relationship between the Philippines and Ireland.”
The two officials discussed matters and opportunities to further their trade and cooperation in the fields of education, culture, agriculture, and maritime.
During the meeting, Carlos also praised “the warmth and friendliness of Filipinos.”
He also acknowledged the important role played by Filipino healthcare workers in helping Ireland cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Irish ambassador was joined by Deputy Head of Mission Brian McCrohan in his visit to the DFA.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Algeria are planning to conduct regular high-level visits and bilateral consultations to strengthen their ties.
Lazaro and Algerian Vice Minister for Western Sahara and the Maghreb Countries Amar Belani reviewed the two countries’ status of relations.
They outlined a plan to conduct regular high-level visits and exchanges and the signing of cooperative legal frameworks, such as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral consultations between the two countries.
Regular meetings and exchange of visits between business councils of both countries are also being eyed in the future.
Both sides also shared views on current international developments in the West Philippine Sea, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mali and the Sahel region, and the African continent, including Western Sahara.
Belani’s official mission included a visit to several ASEAN countries in line with his government’s new thrust to expand relations in the
Southeast Asian region.
Lazaro welcomed this initiative and offered the assistance of the Philippines in facilitating Algeria’s engagement in ASEAN.
Belani’s visit to the Philippines is part of his tour of the five original founding members of ASEAN.