The Philippines and New Zealand are working to elevate their diplomatic ties through a comprehensive partnership, with plans to finalize a roadmap for the next two years.
This was the focus of a bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the recently concluded 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Laos.
Both leaders expressed optimism about strengthening their countries’ relationship. The Philippine President highlighted the Proposed Roadmap to Comprehensive Partnership 2024-2025, which relevant government agencies are finalizing.
“I think the roadmap that’s being finalized now, we should have it ready by the 60th anniversary (in 2026) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Mr. Marcos said.
He added that there were no major obstacles to the agreement, noting that it was “just a question of finalizing the language.”
“I think we’ve made some good progress… and continued progress on the roadmap,” Luxon said.
In addition to trade, the Philippines and New Zealand have collaborated in other areas, such as security, education, and the environment. The two governments have signed agreements on defense, labor, air services, transnational crime, geothermal cooperation, and the avoidance of double taxation.
