President Bongbong Marcos on 11 December left for Brussels, Belgium to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) Summit from 12 to 14 December.
He said he willl push for Philippine priorities, particularly trade, maritime cooperation, and climate action, to be part of the discussions.
In a speech at Villamor Airbase prior to departure, Marcos said the summit would be the first meeting between ASEAN and EU member states’ leaders at the EU headquarters.
“I am pleased to highlight the Philippines’ role as country coordinator for ASEAN in its dialogue relations with the EU,” he said.
“And after the successful series of Summits hosted by ASEAN chair Cambodia last month, I look forward to a productive and meaningful Summit that recognizes ASEAN and the EU’s four-and-a-half decades of long-standing relations,” he added.
The President said the summit is celebrating 45 years of ASEAN-EU relations, with in-depth discussions on the most relevant issues concerning both regional organizations, such as global and regional security challenges, sustainable development, and economic cooperation, among other concerns.
The Philippine leader said he will also deliver remarks at the C-Suite Luncheon and the ASEAN-EU business summit, saying the events will serve as an opportunity to “drum up economic interests once again, and engagement for the Philippines in view of the presence of key business leaders in Europe at the event.”
Marcos will meet with King Philippe of Belgium, as well as hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts in Europe.
Accompanying him are First Lady Liza Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the official Philippine delegation, which left Manila on the presidential plane around 8 p.m.
The group is expected to arrive in Brussels on 12 December at 3 a.m. (10 a.m. Philippine time).