DFAย Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro (right) and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West MPย (Photo courtesy of DFA)
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
The Philippine government hopes to sign a number of new agreements with the United Kingdom ahead of the 80th anniversary of their bilateral relations next year.
Among such deals, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently said, are memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in trade and investments, maritime, defense, Information and Communications Technology.
The DFA said these are โexpected to be concluded this yearโ leading towards the commemorative celebration of the 80th Philippine-UK anniversary.
At the 2nd Philippines-UK Strategic Dialogue in London on February 3, DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West MP identified the next milestones of the relations, with emphasis on the soon to be signed deals.
Both delegations also looked forward to the conclusion of the Joint Framework Agreement, set for signature in March this year. During the meeting, West and Lazaro also exchanged views and positions on regional and international issues, with the latter thanking the UK for its โcontinued support for advancing the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.โ
The Strategic Dialogue is the outcome of the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership officially launched in November 2021. Since then, both countries have hosted thematic meetings in five strategic areas of cooperation, referred to as โpillarsโ of the partnership, namely political affairs, defense, maritime, economic and trade, and climate and environment. (With PNA)
