Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo Meets with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Manila
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo meets with Danish Foreign MInister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Manila
MANILA 12 December 2024 – Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo met his Danish counterpart, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, on Monday, 09 December 2024, in Manila.
The Foreign Ministers discussed enhancing Philippines-Denmark bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment, maritime, ICT, health, science and technology, and education. Both Ministers highlighted deepened partnerships in green energy transition and green shipping, especially in the upskilling and reskilling of the Filipino workforce. Secretary Manalo and Minister Rasmussen likewise identified prospective partnerships in financial cooperation, energy, labor mobility, and defense.
The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Secretary Manalo expressed appreciation for Denmark’s statements against coercive actions in the South China Sea. FM Rasmussen briefly discussed Denmark’s proposed Indo-Pacific Strategy and emphasized Denmark’s strong commitment to a rules-based international order, UN conventions, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Both countries reaffirmed the like-minded partnership that supports the preservation and protection of the rules-based international order.
Secretary Manalo emphasized that “the Philippines will remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, and continues to engage parties through diplomacy and dialogue.”
The Ministers committed to sustain diplomatic exchanges and sectoral partnerships between the Philippines and Denmark.
The Ministerial Meeting was concluded with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark on Information and Communications Technology Cooperation.
FM Rasmussen began his Manila visit with a meeting with officials of the Philippine Coast Guard. After his meeting with SFA Manalo, FM Rasmussen called on Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin of the Office of the President.
The visit also included the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent between the Department of Migrant Workers and the Embassy of Denmark on the Education, Training, and Recruitment of Filipino Nursing Professionals and Healthcare Assistants to Denmark, and a Letter of Intent on engaging a pre-feasibility study on green corridor among the Philippine Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation and the Maersk Zero Carbon Center.
A week before the visit of FM Rasmussen, the Philippines’ Department of Health and the Danish Embassy signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation between the Philippines and Denmark. END
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo meets with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen during the latter’s visit to Manila (Photo by Cielo Marie D. Vicencio)
Secretary Manalo and Minister Rasmussen witness the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on ICT Cooperation, led by DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy and Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin (Photo by Cielo Marie D. Vicencio)