17 September 2014 - Following his meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, President Benigno s. Aquino III had an audience with His Majesty King Philippe of Begium at the Royal Palace in Brussels on September 15.
In his meeting with King Philippe, the President conveyed the Philippines' gratitude for Belgium's assistance and the outpouring of support from the Belgian people in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
The President and the King talked about Belgium's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War I (1914-1919). The President paid tribute to the brave Belgian solders who fought in the First World War a hundred years ago in defence of the sovereignty of Belgium and the freedom of its people.
The President noted the Philippines' historical relations with Belgium. He informed King Philippe that the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal published one of his two great novels in Ghent.
The President briefed King Philippe about the peace process in Mindanao, especially with regard to the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. He said that once the law is enacted, the Philippines would be on its way to achieving a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
The President took the opportunity as well to invite His Majesty to visit the Philippines once again. He extended the invitation to Princess Astrid, as His Majesty's representative to the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, to head an economic mission to the Philippines in 2015. It may be recalled that His Majesty King Philippe led an economic mission to the Philippines in 1996 in his capacity as Crown Prince. END