Press Statement after Bilateral Meeting with Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski on 04 September 2024
Your Excellency, Radoslaw Sikorski,
Members of the delegation of Poland,
My Colleagues from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs,
Friends from the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
I am honored to extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Sikorski. This visit to the Philippines marks the first visit by a Foreign Minister of Poland in almost 30 years.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister’s visit is auspicious as it comes at a time when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Philippine-Poland bilateral relations.
I am also glad to note that Foreign Minister Sikorski will meet with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. later today to discuss important matters of cooperation between the Philippines and Poland.
With that, I am now pleased to share with you the results of our earlier meeting today.
Minister Sikorski and I took note of the many important high-level exchanges of visits in the past, between the Philippines and Poland, as well as recent exchanges between Philippine and Polish parliamentarians. We agreed to continue these positive interactions.
I also reaffirmed the Philippine interest in developing further bilateral defense relations with Poland in line with existing frameworks for cooperation.
On the economic front, I conveyed the Philippines’ interest in increasing trade exchanges with Poland, especially in enhancing trade in agriculture.
I also expressed our desire for more Polish companies to look into investing in the Philippines, especially in the automotive industry, transport and logistics, energy and green technologies, and IT-BPO.
I trust that we can count on Poland’s support for the swift conclusion of PH-EU negotiations, scheduled to resume in October this year, especially in the context of Poland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Cooperation in various sectors was also explored through possible agreements, including in the field of, as I mentioned, agriculture, information and communication technology, exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, also possible mutual legal assistance cooperation.
Due to our countries’ similarities in maritime traditions, I also expressed the Philippine interest in exploring possible maritime cooperation with Poland, including in the areas of maritime education, maritime connectivity, marine environmental protection, and sustainable maritime practices, and maritime security.
Poland is also one of our active partners in higher education and we hope our countries can continue existing partnerships and expanding them in the area of higher education.
Another important aspect of our bilateral relations with Poland is on labor cooperation, and we are committed to work with the authorities of Poland in furthering the protection and welfare of Filipino workers in Poland.
Acknowledging the regional and international issues shaping our world today, Minister Sikorski and I discussed the importance of adhering to a rules based international order grounded on international law. This especially applied to the situation on the South China Sea and the need to address issues on the basis of UNCLOS.
In an era marked by unprecedented challenges and complex geopolitical dynamics, it is imperative that we uphold the principles that safeguard the sovereignty and rights of all nations, and ensure that all States, regardless of size or power, fulfill their obligations under international law. At the same time, I reaffirm the Philippine commitment to maintaining the South China Sea as a region of peace, stability, and prosperity.
Additionally, both sides emphasized the role and importance of regional organizations in maintaining the rule of law and upholding a rules-based international order. In this regard, I conveyed that the Philippines looks forward to Poland's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025, and we spoke that the Polish EU presidency will open new opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth between the Philippines and the EU.
I also mentioned that the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 will be coming very soon and expressed appreciation for the EU's continuing commitment to ASEAN centrality.
Minister Sikorski and I also exchanged views on various regional issues including on the situation in Ukraine, and we also assured Minister Sikorski that our commitment to advance the initiatives and partner on regional and international matters of mutual concern is very much alive.
In conclusion, I look forward to the next 50 years of partnership between the Philippines and Poland, and I’m confident that we shall strengthen our ties and collaboration for the mutual benefit of our nations and peoples.
Again, my warmest welcome to Minister Sikorski.
Thank you and good afternoon. END