20 February 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Victoria S. Bataclan paid a courtesy call on Kortrijk Mayor Vincent Paul Marie Van Quickenborne to express the Philippine Embassy’s support for the forthcoming official visit of the officials of the City of Kortrijk to Cebu City from February 20 to March 02. Kortrijk and Cebu have an existing city-to-city cooperation since 2005.

Mayor Quickenborne related that this year’s visit will focus on climate change through exchanges of knowledge and expertise and citizen’s participation on the issue. The cooperation also brings the people of both cities in a context of international cooperation and solidarity. The visit also aims to strengthen the contacts between the two cities and prepare projects focusing primarily on climate change, education (post graduate program-internship), youth exchange program, humanitarian assistance, and cultural exchange.

Deputy Vice Mayor Bert Herrewyn will lead the Kortrijk delegation. 

Ambassador Bataclan commended the continuous cooperation efforts of Kortrijk and conveyed the Philippines’ deep appreciation for ongoing efforts in support of relief operations for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Municipality of San Francisco, Camotes Islands, north-east of Cebu City. END