PH, Portugal Concludes 3rd Bilateral Political Consultation Meeting

12 July 2019 — The Philippines and Portugal agreed to expand relations in various fronts as the two countries successfully concluded its third Political Consultation meeting on 05 July 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for External Policy Pedro Sanchez da Costa Pereira led the Philippine and Portuguese delegations, respectively. 

The meeting–the first to be held under the 2015 Philippines-Portugal Memorandum of Understanding establishing the bilateral consultation mechanism–was held at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE).

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the breadth of Philippines-Portugal bilateral relations including ongoing political and socio-economic cooperation.

Both sides agreed there is much potential for an increase and diversification of bilateral trade and investments, given their importance in sustaining the advancement of both economies. 

Noting the historical and cultural ties between the Philippines and Portugal, both sides expressed commitment to strengthening government-to-government cooperation as well as to increasing people-to-people linkages through tourism and business.

The two sides agreed to work on a plan of action to strengthen the two countries’ relations and cooperation. END

Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for External Policy Pedro Sanchez da Costa Pereira (left) and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (right) exchange handshakes before the start of the meeting. (DFA photo)