The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw participated in the 2nd Asia and Pacific Day held on 5 October 2016 at Poland’s Sejm (Parliament) which featured a conference on the relations between Poland and the Asia Pacific region as well as reception and promotional activity.

   In his welcome speech, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski stated that the Asia Pacific region plays a key role in global politics and economics.  He said that  Poland recognizes this role and is therefore strengthening its relations with the countries in the region by establishing strategic partnerships.  The Polish Foreign Minister also said that in view of the thrust in furthering relations with the region, he reiterated the re-opening of the Polish Embassy in the Philippines and the establishment of one in Mongolia.

   FM Waszczykowski added that new connecting flights from Poland to Beijing and Tokyo and direct flights to Seoul will be launched soon.  He also mentioned the railway connection from Poland to Chengdu creating new infrastructure in developing a modern day silk road.  He stressed that the fundamental obstacle to hurdle is insufficient knowledge of the region in Poland and vice versa.

   Keynote speaker Mr. Sarat Amunugama, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Special Assignments, emphasized the importance of the Asia Pacific region in globalization which has seen spectacular growth in the last three decades and has driven global growth.  He said that Poland should take advantage of what the region has to offer since the environment is very conducive in sustaining development.

   Panel discussions were also held featuring Polish members of the Parliament and think tanks.  The conference was followed by a reception where country promotion booths were opened to the public and showcased  culinary samplings of the participating countries. The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw also used the event as a platform to promote Philippine tourism, trade and investments. Philippine dried mangoes and promotional bags were the Embassy’s “give-aways.”