Asunción, Agencia IP.- The historic official visit undertaken this Monday in Manila by the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, marks a milestone in the approach between Paraguay and the Philippines, countries that serve as gateways to the markets of Asia and South America, respectively.
Peña was received this Monday by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace, becoming the first Paraguayan President to visit the Southeast Asian country since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 12, 1962.
The two leaders held a bilateral meeting to discuss areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
These institutional and trade exchanges aim to strengthen ties between Paraguay and the Philippines, countries that emphasize their commitment to integration and present themselves as gateways to their respective regional markets, reported the Philippine state broadcaster PTV News.
A new stage in bilateral relations
«This fact is not merely protocolary. It is the clearest expression of the political will of both governments to inaugurate a new phase in our bilateral relations, grounded in shared principles and values such as mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the economic development of our peoples,» said President Peña.
As the current Pro Tempore President of Mercosur, Peña expressed his desire to strengthen the bloc’s ties with the Philippines, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which would serve as a basis for collaboration in trade, investment, and value chains.
He emphasized that the first shipments of Paraguayan beef, pork, and poultry to the Philippines constitute a milestone that could open new avenues for supplying quality meat products to Southeast Asia.
He also envisioned new opportunities to introduce Paraguayan export products such as grains, corn, oilseeds, and other agricultural products.
For his part, the Philippine president highlighted the parallels in the development of the Philippines and Paraguay, and stated that a strengthened bilateral relationship «will be of great benefit not only to our countries, but also to the regions from which we come.»
Agreements signed
During the official visit, both leaders witnessed the signing of a Visa Exemption Agreement, a mutual provision that grants visa-exempt privileges to citizens of both nations.
They also celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in Diplomatic Training between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, which aims to foster closer collaboration between Philippine and Paraguayan diplomats.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides a framework for developing cooperation and training activities, skills development, information exchange, and other academic cooperation projects.