PHILIPPINE EMBASSY LEADS CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND LATVIA
17 December 2021 - The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw led the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Latvia today by hosting a virtual get-together with Latvia’s Foreign Ministry officials and special guests.
“Thirty years ago our two countries formally forged ties of friendship and cooperation, and I am very happy to say that through the years, our relations have endured and in fact remained friendly and mutually beneficial throughout the years,” H.E. Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, the Philippines’ non-resident Ambassador to Lithuania, remarked as she welcomed the guests to the virtual reception.
Ambassador Nils Jansons, Director General of the Bilateral Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, noted: “Our diplomatic anniversary takes place during highly challenging times for the international community with the pandemic leaving a lasting impact on our societies, economies, and daily lives. But this experience on the other side has taught us the merits of cooperation, of solidarity… the value of multilateralism, and a rules-based international order for the safety and well-being of all. We appreciate the cooperation with the Philippines including in international organizations. We are pleased to see that despite the pandemic and the worldwide uncertainty we are able to sustain our channels of communication, at least through the EU-ASEAN cooperation and the Asia-Europe Meeting, an ASEAN framework which provides us additional opportunities for advancing our relationship in areas of mutual interest.”
The celebration was highlighted by a special message from Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., who said in his remarks:
““Cultural cooperation is one of the many potential areas we can build on and strengthen.. We must link up Philippine and Latvian cultural institutions, to bring forth collaborative projects that can bring us closer to each other’s culture and people. This will be a most welcome way forward, after the gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has forced us to expand our global outlook, as it is compelling all countries to look beyond traditional partners and markets.”
“The Philippines and Latvia should build on common interests and complementary roles, and seize the occasion for closer engagement on all fronts. I send my very best wishes to the government and to the people of Latvia,” Secretary Locsin concluded.
Special guests who delivered greetings include H.E. Hanan Al Aleeli, Ambassador of the UAE to Latvia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Latvia; Mr. Dimitry Trofimov, Philippine Honorary Consul in Latvia; Mr. Robert Lim Joseph, Latvian Honorary Consul in the Philippines; Mr. Janis Lielpeteris, Member of the Board of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce; and Prof. Arvids Barshevskis of Daugavpils University, which has active collaboration with the University of Mindanao in the Philippines.
The video of the event may be viewed at the Embassy’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxKRqvjU9xs) and official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPoland/). END
