Philippines and Ireland Hold Bilateral Consultations, Celebrate 40 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Elena P. Algabre and Irish Assistant Secretary and Director General for Economic and Asia Pacific Affairs Mr. Gerard Keown.

DUBLIN 03 May 2024 – The Philippines and Ireland held bilateral consultations in Dublin on 31 May 2024, led by Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Elena P. Algabre for the Philippine side, and Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Economic and Asia Pacific Affairs Mr. Gerard Keown for the Irish side.

The members of the Philippine delegation included Deputy Head of Mission of the Philippine Embassy in London, Ms. Rhenita Rodriguez, together with Second Secretary Beatriz Martinez, Office of European Affairs Director Ferdinand Flores,  and Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs (OUMA) Special Assistant Mr. Charleson Hermosura.

The two delegations reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen bilateral relations,  and acknowledged their countries’ shared values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and  rules-based international order.  

They identified  practical and specific areas of cooperation on trade and investment, notably in the areas of agriculture, electronics, IT-BPM, and renewable energy. They welcomed the resumption of the negotiations for the Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to its conclusion. Underlining the importance of people-to-people links as a strong foundation for steadfast and long-lasting relations, they also agreed to pursue collaboration in the areas of health, education and  culture.  

As both  countries have a large diaspora, the delegations exchanged experiences and best practices on partnering with their respective overseas nationals for the promotion of national interests, particularly on socio-economic development.

The delegations also had a lively and frank exchange of views on international and regional issues, particularly on recent developments in ASEAN, Myanmar, West Philippine Sea, Ukraine, and the Middle East. They agreed that integral to dialogue  and diplomacy  in the peaceful resolution of tensions or conflicts is the commitment to uphold  the international rules-based order. 

Ahead of the political consultations,  the Philippine delegation met with Mr. Alan Dukes and  Mr. Martin Murray, founders of the Asia Matters, Ireland’s only Asia think tank and aimed at building dynamic business links between Asia, EU and Ireland. In collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, Asia Matters hosted the Fireside Chat of Assistant Secretary Algabre at the Robert Emmet Theater of Trinity College Dublin, focusing on “Philippine Economic Priorities and the Future of the Philippines-Ireland Relations. The event was attended by students, representatives of Irish companies, education institutions, and diplomats.  

The Philippine Delegation hosted a dinner get-together with the leaders of the Filipino community in Ireland and discussed the status  of the growing Filipino community in the country. 

The bilateral consultations this year coincide with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Ireland. END

The political consultations at Iveagh House, Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin.

Assistant Secretary Algabre speaking on Philippine economic opportunities at the Robert Emmet Theater, Trinity College Dublin.