PH Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lectures on Philippine Independent Foreign Policy at Metropolitan University Prague

Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin R. Meñez and DFA Undersecretary Lazaro with the students and faculty of the Metropolitan University Prague (MUP). Former Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva, sits in front (2nd from left, in gray)

PRAGUE 20 November 2023 – The Metropolitan University Prague (MUP), in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Prague, hosted a lecture by DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro on the topic of "Independent Foreign Policy of the Philippines."

Around 130 undergraduate and graduate students taking up International and Asian studies attended the lecture. Former Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva was also in attendance.

The lecture delved into the constitutional foundations of the Philippines' pursuit of an independent foreign policy. Particular focus was placed on the legal battle for the West Philippine Sea, underscoring the Philippines' commitment to defending its national sovereignty and  territorial integrity, firmly anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)  and the 2016 Arbitral  Award on the South China Sea.

The lecture also touched upon the Philippines' engagement with its international partners, particularly in upholding the rules-based international order.

On Philippines-Czech Republic relations, the Undersecretary expressed optimism that, as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries are poised to further strengthen and widen their cooperation.

After the lecture, Undersecretary Lazaro engaged in a stimulating exchange with the attendees. Questions from the students, teachers, and diplomats ranged from the role of China in the region; the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea including concerns on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF); ASEAN; Philippine relations with Czech Republic, EU and US; and the situation in Ukraine and Gaza.

Sharing her personal, productive and memorable experience in the Philippines, Ambassador Sediva encouraged the students to closely follow Philippine foreign policy, and even to study at the excellent academic institutions in the country. She also commended the Philippines for its principled position on the situation in Ukraine.

Prior to the lecture, Undersecretary Lazaro met with Prof. Michal Klima, Rector of MUP, and doc.Mgr. Michal Kolmaš, Ph.D., Head of the Asian Studies Department. The MUP academicians enthusiastically welcomed the Philippines to expand university-to-university linkages between MUP and Philippine universities, and to establish a Philippine Studies Program. MUP, which focuses on Social Sciences, currently maintains a partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University. END

(L-R) Undersecretary Lazaro, Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, DFA-Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre, and Ms. Indhira C. Banares, Minister and Consul General of the Philippine Embassy in Prague, engage in a lively discussion with doc.Mgr. Michal Kolmaš, Ph.D., Head of the Asian Studies Department, Prof. Michal Klima, Rector of Metropolitan University Prague, and Mr. Aleš Karmazin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Editor-in-Chief of the Central European Journal of International and Security Studies