President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed his commitment to enhancing diplomatic ties with three newly appointed European envoys during separate meetings at Malacañang on Wednesday. Marcos aims to strengthen partnerships with Ireland, Finland, and the European Union, exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Finland’s Ambassador, Saija Nurminen, highlighted her country’s interest in expanding labor mobility opportunities with the Philippines, focusing on education and training. Marcos thanked Finland for its hospitality towards Filipino workers, noting the 8,456 Filipinos currently residing in the country.
In his meeting with EU Ambassador-designate Mariomassimo Santoro, Marcos emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation, with the EU ranking as the Philippines’ fourth-largest development partner. Santoro praised the Philippines’ role in strengthening EU relations.
Irish Ambassador-designate Emma Hickey also met with Marcos, where they discussed the growing significance of non-traditional partnerships, underscoring the importance of global engagement despite geographical distances.