President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed optimism that the Philippines will further strengthen cooperation with the Slovak Republic, Papua New Guinea, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as he welcomed on Friday the newly appointed ambassadors from these countries.
According to a news release from the Presidential Communication Office, President Marcos welcomed Ambassador Stephen Pokanis of Papua New Guinea, Miloš Koterec of the Slovak Republic, and Thiphasone Sengsourinha of the Lao DPR as they presented their credentials during a simple ceremony at the Palace.
The President described as a great honor for him to welcome Ambassador Koterec as Slovakia’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines, stressing there is much for the two nations to do and develop.
President Marcos noted the strong potential for expanded cooperation, citing a wide range of activities and areas for the Philippines and the Slovak Republic to explore and discuss during the envoy’s tenure in the country.
As to Papua New Guinea, President Marcos expressed hope that “the relationship will continue to grow and deepen in the future, through economic and people-to-people ties .”
With the Lao PDR, the President said the two nations have established a good relationship not only bilaterally but also through domestic contacts and ASEAN partnership.
President Marcos expressed hope that “there’s still much that we can do to promote that relationship,” underscoring his anticipation of significant progress in strengthening ties between the Philippines and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic during the envoy’s tenure.
For his part, Ambassador Koterec said he is fully committed to advancing tangible bilateral cooperation, including economic cooperation, investments, and business partnerships.
The President also acknowledged the potential to strengthen people-to-people relations, particularly noting the key contributions of the 1,500 Filipinos in different sectors in the Slovak Republic. The President also welcomed the intent of the Slovak Republic to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Ambassador Koterec noted Slovakia also sees considerable potential in the exchange of knowledge and experience in nuclear technology, education cooperation, academic partnership, and mutual mobility of people.
Papua New Guinea Ambassador Pokanis, on the other hand, acknowledged the strong government-to-government and people-to-people relationships and highlighted Papua New Guinea’s support for the Philippines in promoting regional peace and stability.
The ambassador also highlighted robust cooperation in trade and food investments, education and health services, and the movement of people between Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, noting these as key achievements in the bilateral relationship over the past 50 years.
In handing over his credentials to the President, the Lao PDR envoy pledged his full commitment “to further advancing the good bilateral relations and cooperation between the Lao PDR and the Philippines in the coming years.”