Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Theresa Lazaro and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Saeed Bin Mubarak Al-Hajeri met on Tuesday, January 13, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries.
The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in various areas and the regular conduct of bilateral consultations, the DFA noted in a statement.
“Secretary Lazaro also welcomed the imminent signing of the PH-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation,” the statement read.
Lazaro also expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting nearly one million Filipinos who work and reside in the country, and for extending executive clemency to 403 Filipinos on various occasions from 2024 to 2025.
On the same day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UAE, marking the Philippines’ first FTA with a country in the Middle East.
The CEPA aims to enhance market access between the Philippines and the UAE, opening up extensive trade and investment options for both countries.
Lazaro is part of the Philippine delegation led by Mr. Marcos, who is in the UAE for a working visit at the invitation of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This visit aims to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in areas such as trade, defense, and sustainable development.
