Ties between Greece and the Philippines are boosted

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, Enrique A. Manalo, paid a historic visit to Greece from July 18 to 20, 2024, at the invitation of the Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis.

This is the first solo visit by a Philippine Foreign Minister to Greece, and marks a significant chapter in the Philippines-Greece bilateral relations as both countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. It was an opportunity for Secretary Manalo to meet with key Greek officials – the Greek Prime Minister, the Greek Foreign Minister, and the Greek Minister of Defense – to discuss ways to further boost Philippines-Greece relations and expand areas of cooperation.

With Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Secretary Manalo discussed the possibilities of expanding trade and investment, labor and maritime cooperation with Greece, as well as common positions between the Philippines and Greece on many global issues, including the rules-based international order and international law, including UNCLOS.

Secretary Manalo also met with Greek Defense Minister Nikolaus Dendias. The two officials exchanged views on regional and international defense and security issues, and discussed the importance of freedom of navigation, as well as how the two countries could enhance their defense cooperation.

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At the meeting held at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Manalo and Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis discussed ways to strengthen Philippine-Greek cooperation in trade and investment, labor, culture, maritime sector, and climate change. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in Ukraine and Gaza, and in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea.

In their respective statements to the press after the meeting, both Foreign Ministers stressed that the Philippines and Greece are like-minded maritime nations, connected by the thousands of Filipino seafarers on board Greek vessels and by their common advocacy of a rules-based world order and international law, especially UNCLOS.

During his visit, Secretary Manalo also delivered a lecture at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), a leading Greek think tank, to members of academia, the press, and other diplomats.

This is the first solo visit by a Philippine Foreign Minister to Greece, and marks a significant chapter in bilateral relations.

The conference, entitled “The Rules-Based International Order as the Foundation for the Resolution of Maritime Disputes,” provided Secretary Manalo with the opportunity to present Philippine perspectives on maritime issues and the importance of international law in the peaceful resolution of disputes. In addition, in its June 20, 2024 edition, the leading English-language Greek newspaper, Kathimerini, published an editorial by Secretary Manalo, entitled “The Rules-Based International Order as the Foundation for the Resolution of Maritime Disputes.”

Prior to departing Greece, Secretary Manalo graced the Philippine Independence Day Reception hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in Athens, Greece on June 20, 2024.

In his address to an audience of members of the diplomatic community, Greek friends of the Embassy and fellow Filipinos, he acknowledged the contribution to the Greek economy and society, as well as to the Philippines, of more than 60,000 Filipinos living and working in Greece or aboard Greek vessels. He called upon the Filipino community in Greece to help safeguard the achievements of democracy in the Philippines, honouring the courage and legacy of freedom that the nation’s forefathers offered to the Filipino people.