PH Ambassador to Australian Meets Vanuatu Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas and Philippine Honorary Consul to Vanuatu Florentino Serrano on 08 May 2019 during a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu. (Canberra PE photo)
PORT VILA 17 May 2019 – Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega called on Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas on 08 May 2019 and discussed ways to strengthen Philippines-Vanuatu Relations.
Ambassador De La Vega officially assumed her role as Non-Resident Ambassador to Vanuatu following her presentation of credentials on 07 May 2019.
The Ambassador extended the warm greetings of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his best wishes for the prosperity of Vanuatu. She said that she has been tasked to foster and enhance the long-standing friendship between the two countries which has prospered since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1986.
For his part, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas said he welcomed initiatives to further enhance engagement in education noting that a number of Ni-Vanuatu students complete their tertiary studies in the Philippines. He also said the two countries can pursue further technical cooperation in areas such as agriculture. He added there is a growing Filipino community in Vanuatu who have integrated well in the country.
Both acknowledged the importance of working together with the international community in addressing climate change especially given that both the Philippines and Vanuatu are disaster-prone countries that are heavily affected by the impact of climate change.
Before the meeting with the Prime Minister, Ambassador De La Vega also met Vanuatu Minister for Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and External Trade Ralph Regenvanu on 07 May 2019 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Ambassador De La Vega expressed the commitment of the Philippines to enhance bilateral relations with Vanuatu and to make significant strides in the bilateral relationship, and will prioritize cooperation in education, trade and climate change.
For his part, Foreign Minister Regenvanu welcomed the initiatives to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the Philippines and Vanuatu. He said his Ministry will work closely with the Philippine Consulate in Vanuatu in pursing these, and expressed appreciation for the growing Filipino community in Vanuatu and their contributions to country’s development.
Ambassador De La Vega said she looks forward to working closely with Vanuatu towards the celebration of the 35th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vanuatu in 2021. END
Philippine Ambassador to Austalia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ralph Regenvanu, International Cooperation and External Trade on 07 May 2019 following her presentation of credentials as Philippine Ambassador to Vanuatu. (Canberra PE photo)
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