Philippines, Greece Hold Inaugural Political Consultations in Athens
Assistant Secretary Deena Joy D. Amatong (R) of the DFA-Office of European Affairs and Ambassador Andreas Fryganas, Political Director of Greece’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, after the conduct of the Inaugural Political Consultations
ATHENS 30 May 2025 – The Philippines and Greece held their inaugural political consultations in the Greek capital of Athens on 23 May 2025. DFA Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Deena Joy D. Amatong led the Philippine delegation while the Political Director of Greece’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Andreas Fryganas, led the Greek delegation. The Philippine Embassy in Athens, headed by Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec, joined Assistant Secretary Amatong during the political consultations.
Assistant Secretary Amatong and Director Fryganas discussed various aspects of the Philippines and Greece’s bilateral relations such as possible cooperation in maritime affairs and defense, and explored new ways to strengthen existing collaborations in trade and investments, people-to-people exchanges, culture, and labor and migration.
“Despite the geographical distance between the Philippines and Greece, we are brought together by our maritime traditions and are bound by shared values,” Assistant Secretary Amatong said.
Both sides also exchanged views on pressing regional and global issues such as climate change and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, and re-affirmed their countries’ commitment to upholding the rule of law and the rules-based international order.
The inaugural political consultations follows the visit of DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo to Greece on 18-21 June 2024.
The Philippines and Greece will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. END
Assistant Secretary Deena Joy Amatong, Ambassador Giovanni Palec, and Ms. Therese R. Cantada, First Secretary and Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Athens (right side), engage in discussions with the Greek delegation led by Ambassador Andreas Fryganas (left side).