Philippines and Costa Rica Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Relations

Ambassador Eduardo Jose A. de Vega presents his Credentials to Costa Rican President Luís Guillermo Solís.

11 May 2017 SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – A new chapter in the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Costa Rica was opened when Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Eduardo A. de Vega presented his credentials as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Costa Rica to President H.E. Luís Guillermo Solís on April 26 in San José, Costa Rica.

During the said event, held at the Casa Amarilla in San José, Ambassador de Vega conveyed to President Solís the cordial greetings of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his best wishes on the occasion of the former´s birthday. Ambassador de Vega expressed Philippines’’ desire to improve cooperation between the two countries and to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship. He likewise took the opportunity to defend President Duterte’s policy on drugs, which has drawn attention at both national and international levels.

For his part, President Solís expressed his displeasure at the international community´s call to condemn President Duterte’s alleged human rights violation in his fight against drugs. President Solís cited that Costa Rica does not condemn duly-elected foreign leaders, especially on an issue such as the containment of illegal drugs. He cited illegal drugs as a similar problem in Costa Rica and the entire region that need to be addressed seriously.

President Solís stated that he was hopeful that the Philippines and Costa Rica will continue to nurture the existing bilateral relations and augment cooperation, trade and political exchanges.

President Solís acknowledged the presence of Filipino overseas workers in Costa Rica and expressed his appreciation for their positive contribution to the Costa Rican Economy. He promised to seriously consider the Philippine request for amnesty to 50 Filipinos who are not properly documented in Costa Rica

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Ambassador Eduardo Jose A. de Vega (right) with Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel Antonio Gonzalés Sans during the presentation of the open copy of Credentials, the day before meeting with the President.