Philippine and Italian diplomats held the first meeting of the Philippines-Italy bilateral consultations mechanism in Rome. Leading their delegations were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo (middle, right side), for the Philippines, and Undersecretary of State, Senator Benedetto della Vedova (middle, left side), for Italy. During the meeting the two sides discussed Philippine-Italian relations, including politics, economy, and culture, among others.
30 October 2017, ROME – The Philippines and Italy held their first political consultations here to further boost bilateral relations.
The political consultations were led by senior officials from both countries. Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo led the Philippine delegation while the Italian side was headed by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto della Vedova.
Undersecretary Manalo was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco, Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Cleofe Natividad, and other Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials.
The historic consultations commenced with the signing of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Italian Republic. Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco signed for the Philippines while Vice Minister della Vedova signed for Italy.
“This first meeting of the bilateral consultations mechanism is a milestone event for our countries,” said Undersecretary Manalo. “There is untapped potential in our multifaceted relations and we should identify sectors that our governments can develop,” he added.
Philippines-Italy Air Services Agreement. Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco (left) and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) Undersecretary of State, Senator Benedetto Della Vedova, sign the Philippines-Italy Air Services Agreement at the MFAIC in Rome, Italy at the sidelines of the historic Philippine-Italy political consultations. The agreement aims to facilitate and promote the expansion of regional and international air service opportunities for Philippines and Italy.
During the meeting, the Philippine side provided information on economic opportunities in the Philippines that Italian companies may want to explore such as infrastructure, trade, and agriculture. The delegation from Manila also shared that the Philippines is undergoing a Golden Age of Infrastructure with the government’s Build Build Build program.
The two sides agreed to develop more economic relations by bringing together Philippine and Italian businesses and exchanging more information on commercial opportunities. They also committed to increase cultural and educational cooperation in the future.
Undersecretary Manalo also had a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister della Vedova where they discussed the general state of bilateral relations. Both sides welcomed the bilateral consultations mechanism as a framework that assures regular engagement between Philippine and Italian officials.
The Vice Minister acknowledged the presence of the Filipino community in Italy and their important contribution to the Italian society.
At the sidelines of the political cosultations, Undesecreatry Manalo delivered a presentation on ASEAN-EU Relations: Prospects and Challenges, at the LUISS School of Government in Rome. The audience comprised of graduate students and members of the diplomatic corps.
“We hope that this first meeting will help build momentum to strengthen our longstanding relations. With the mechanism in place, our diplomats would be able to meet regularly to assess and review Philippine-Italian relations and discuss priority areas of cooperation,” said Ambassador Nolasco. END
