PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flew to Brussels, Belgium on Sunday evening, December 11, 2022, to attend the commemorative summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU).
Marcos said the Philippines will serve as coordinator for Asean in its dialogue relations with the EU during the summit, which will have in-depth discussions on the most relevant issues concerning both regional organizations, such as global and regional security challenges, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
“In addition to pursuing Asean’s interests as country coordinator for the EU, I will always certainly push for Philippine priorities within the context of the Asean-EU cooperation particularly in post-pandemic economic recovery and trade, maritime cooperation, and of course, climate action,” he said.
“Although I am representing the Philippines, I am now also representing all of Asean but nonetheless, as I have mentioned, Philippine interests will always enter into all of my discussions,” he added.
Marcos said he will also call on King Philippe of Belgium, as well as hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts in Europe on the sidelines of the summit.
He is expected to meet with the leaders of Estonia, the Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands and the European Union.
Marcos will also meet with the business community and will have one-on-one meetings with corporations that will be expanding their presence in the Philippines.
“These events provide an opportunity to drum up economic interests once again, and engagement for the Philippines in view of the presence of key business leaders in Europe,” he said.
The President is also expected to meet the Filipino community in Belgium. (SunStar Philippines)