DFA Secretary Manalo Advances PH-Greece Ties During Historic Visit to Greece

Secretary Manalo is warmly welcomed by Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis, during their meeting at the Greek Foreign Ministry.

ATHENS 02 July 2024 – Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo undertook a historic visit to Greece on 18-20 June 2024, upon the invitation of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.

This is the first stand-alone visit of a Philippine Foreign Minister to Greece, and marks a significant chapter in Philippines-Greece bilateral relations, as both countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. It was an opportunity for Secretary Manalo to meet key Greek officials - the Greek Prime Minister, the Greek Foreign Minister, and the Greek Defense Minister - to discuss ways to push Philippines-Greece relations even further, and expand areas of cooperation.

With Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Secretary Manalo discussed potentials for expanding trade and investment, labor and maritime cooperation with Greece, as well as common positions between the Philippines and Greece on many global issues, including the rules-based international order and international law, including UNCLOS.

Secretary Manalo also called on Greek Defense Minister Nikolaus Dendias. The two officials exchanged views on regional and international defense and security matters, and discussed the importance of freedom of navigation, as well as how both countries could upgrade their defense cooperation.

At the meeting held at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Manalo and Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis discussed ways to strengthen Philippine-Greek cooperation in trade and investment, labor, culture, the maritime sector, and climate change. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in Ukraine and Gaza, and in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea.

In their respective statements to the press after the meeting, both Foreign Ministers highlighted how the Philippines and Greece are like-minded maritime nations, connected by the thousands of Filipino seafarers on-board Greek ships and their shared advocacy for a rules-based global order and international law, especially UNCLOS.

During the visit, Secretary Manalo also gave a lecture at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), a leading Greek think-tank, for members of the academe, press and other diplomats. Entitled “The Rules-Based International Order as the Bedrock of Maritime Dispute Settlement,” the lecture was an opportunity for Secretary Manalo to expound on Philippine perspectives on maritime issues, and the importance of international law in the peaceful resolution of disputes.  In addition, in its 20 June 2024 issue, leading Greek English-language newspaper Kathimerini published an editorial piece by Secretary Manalo, entitled “The rules-based international order as the bedrock of maritime dispute settlement.”

Before he departed Greece, Secretary Manalo graced the Philippine Independence Day Reception, held by the Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece, on 20 June 2024. In his remarks to an audience of members of the diplomatic community, Greek friends of the Embassy and fellow Filipinos, he recognized the contribution to the Greek economy and society, as well as to the Philippines, of over 60,000 Filipinos living and working in Greece or onboard Greek ships. He exhorted the Filipino community in Greece to help safeguard the gains of democracy in the Philippines, as they honored the courage and the legacy of freedom the nation’s forebears offered to the Filipino people. END

Secretary Manalo in discussion with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Secretary Manalo is received by Greek Defense Minister Dendias, at the Greek Ministry of Defense.