PH-Singapore Ties Remain Strong After 50 Years: DFA Chief

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said the Philippine-Singapore ties remain strong as the two nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2019.

Locsin is on his introductory visit to Singapore and has met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, to review and chart the future direction of the Philippines and Singapore’s relations.

During their meeting, the Foreign Affairs chief noted that the two countries are “natural partners whose relationship is borne out of pure friendship.”

Locsin also noted the way both countries have been helping each other such as when Singapore extended assistance in the aftermath of the Marawi crisis and cited its political and economic partnership, and strong people-to-people connection.

He said the friendship between the two neighbors “will stand in good times or challenging times.”

Balakrishnan, meanwhile, noted the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed readiness to extend assistance to the Philippines as an “ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) brother.”

The two jointly unveiled the official commemorative logo of the 50th Anniversary of Philippine-Singapore Diplomatic Relations, which formally kicks off a year-long series of activities to be held in both countries.

Locsin, on the same day, paid a courtesy call on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Locsin will also be visiting the Philippine embassy in Singapore to observe the overseas voting for the 2019 mid-term election. (PNA)