Philippines and Sweden Hold 5th Political Consultations in Stockholm on 20 April 2023

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (third from left), head of the Philippine delegation at the 5th Philippines-Sweden Political Consultations, stands with Amb. Niclas Kvarnström (fourth from left), head of the Swedish delegation. With them are (from left) Sweden’s Special Envoy for the Indo Pacific Erik Widman, Philippine Ambassador to Sweden H.E. Ma. Lumen B. Isleta, Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Annika Thunborg, and Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Global Affairs Mr. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt (DFA photo)

STOCKHOLM 21 April 2023 – The Philippines and Sweden successfully concluded their 5th Political Consultations in Stockholm on 20 April 2023. The Philippine delegation was headed by DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, while the Ambassador. Niclas Kvarnström, Department Head for   Asia, the Pacific Region, and Latin America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, led the Swedish delegation.

The 5th Political Consultations looked at recent developments in the two countries' political, trade and economic relations. Both sides exchanged views on ASEAN developments, the West Philippine Sea, the security situation in Europe,  and Sweden's priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the EU. Talks also included cooperation in defense, maritime, trade, education, labor, consular, and multilateral candidatures.

The Philippines and Sweden further reaffirmed their respective commitments to enhancing bilateral links and growing partnerships, particularly in the areas of defense and trade. Philippine Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Maria Lumen B. Isleta, member of the Philippine delegation, noted during the exchanges that the liberalization of foreign investment laws in the Philippines has opened the country to a lot of potential cooperation and collaboration with Swedish investors.

In the meeting, Undersecretary Lazaro expressed confidence that the discussions would provide further impetus to enhance existing bilateral cooperation and chart new engagements between Sweden and the Philippines for the mutual benefit of both countries and their peoples. END