UK Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Secretary Locsin

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. receives British Ambassador Daniel Pruce at the Department of Foreign Affairs on 05 February 2020. (DFA Photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)

MANILA 05 February 2020 – British Ambassador Daniel Pruce called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. on 5 February 2020.

Secretary Locsin was joined by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilan Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay and officials from the Office of European Affairs while Ambassador Pruce was accompanied by Mr. Iain Cox, First Secretary of the British Embassy in Manila.

Secretary Locsin noted the longstanding partnership of the Philippines and the United Kingdom in various fields, highlighting defense cooperation and the continuing UK-sponsored training of Philippine soldiers.

Ambassador Pruce, for his part, thanked Secretary Locsin on the successful rescue of the kidnapped British nationals, Mr. Allan and Wilma Hyrons, who were rescued from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu in 2019. Ambassador Pruce highlighted the dedication of Filipino soldiers on the ground and the excellent coordination between Philippine and British forces that led to the safe release of the Hyrons couple.

Moreover, Ambassador Pruce conveyed to Secretary Locsin that the UK has officially left the European Union (EU) and is currently negotiating trading arrangements with the EU and other partner countries. The Ambassador expressed hope that the Philippines would join the UK in several public activities to drum up awareness and support for the 26th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Glasgow in November.

Both sides expressed optimism in further expanding cooperation, deepening ties, and enhancing economic opportunities between the Philippines and the UK. END

Secretary Locsin was joined by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilan Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay and officials from the Office of European Affairs while Ambassador Pruce was accompanied by Mr. Iain Cox, First Secretary of the British Embassy in Manila. (DFA Photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)

Both Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.(left) and British Ambassador Daniel Pruce (right) expressed optimism in further expanding cooperation, deepening ties, and enhancing economic opportunities between the Philippines and the UK. (DFA Photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)