16 July 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met with Filipino community leaders of Belgium and Luxembourg on July 09 at the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium.  

During the dialogue, Filipino community leaders expressed their support for the Philippines’ legal actions concerning the West Philippine Sea issue.  They expressed appreciation for the continuing efforts to protect and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas.

The Secretary highlighted government efforts in carrying out the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, namely promoting national security, enhancing economic diplomacy, and protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos overseas.  He emphasized that the 84 Philippine Foreign Service Posts are always ready to serve Filipinos wherever they may be in the world.

The Foreign Secretary’s three-day working visit to Belgium and Luxembourg included meetings with the Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn; Belgium’s Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, with whom he signed the Philippines-Belgian Joint Plan of Action; and with European Council President Herman van Rompuy and Vice President Siim Kallas with whom he discussed the lifting of the EuropeanUnion ban on Philippine air carriers, the certification of Filipino seafarers and the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea situation. END