11 April 2016 - Spanish Secretary of State for Latin America and International Development Cooperation Jesus Manuel Gracia paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras on April 06.

State Secretary Gracia is on a working visit to the Philippines from April 06 to 08 to review projects being implemented under the Philippines-Spain Country Partnership Framework of 2014-2017.

Secretary Almendras thanked Spain for its official development assistance projects which have made a difference in the lives of many Filipinos and also for Spain’s support for the Mindanao Peace Process, as a number of projects for implementation under the Philippines-Spain Country Partnership Framework of 2014-2017 are geared towards providing livelihood projects for communities in Mindanao affected by armed conflicts.

Secretary Almendras emphasized the need to further enhance trade between the two countries and for Spain to look into the potential of the Philippines as a gateway to the larger ASEAN region following the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community.

Finally, Secretary Almendras noted the numerous cultural events being held in the country to celebrate the close ties between the two countries, foremost of which is the Madrid-Fusion-Manila which was held from April 07 to 09. END