MANILA 09 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo held a bilateral meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at the Fairmont Hotel Makati on Wednesday, 04 September 2024. 

Minister Sikorski’s visit, the first to the Philippines by a Polish Foreign Minister in almost 30 years, coincides with the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Poland. It also marks Minister Sikorsi’s second visit to the Philippines following a previous one in 2006 during his tenure as Poland’s Defense Minister. 

During their meeting, Secretary Manalo and Foreign Minister Sikorski discussed cooperation in various sectors such as trade and investments, agriculture, information and communications technology, science and technology, environment, maritime cooperation, education, tourism, and labor and migration.

The two officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Secretary Manalo briefed Minister Sikorski on developments in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the position of the Philippines has been consistent, clear, and firmly anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. He underscored the importance of abiding by the rule of law and respecting the rules-based international order. 

Minister Sikorski, on the other hand, highlighted Poland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025 and its presidency priorities. Both sides also discussed ASEAN, including the Philippines’ upcoming Chairship in 2026, the continuing security and humanitarian concerns in the Middle East, specifically in Gaza and the Red Sea region, as well as the ongoing war and humanitarian situation in Ukraine. 

In closing, both officials assured their commitment in advancing Philippines-Poland bilateral initiatives and further strengthening specific areas of collaboration. END