Paraguay president to visit Philippines next week

MANILA, Philippines — Paraguay President Santiago Peña Palacios will embark on an official visit to the Philippines on May 11 to expand cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, as well as agriculture, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Peña will be accorded official honors at the Palace grounds, where he and President Marcos are set to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss avenues for enhanced cooperation and mutual development, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The visit, according to the PCO, marks a significant milestone in the deepening of Philippines-Paraguay relations, as it will be the first presidential visit between the two countries.

Both nations are seeking to expand cooperation across a range of sectors, particularly in trade, investment and agriculture, the PCO added.

“The official visit underscores the continued efforts of the Philippines to broaden its engagement with its Latin American partners and to diversify its economic partnerships,” the PCO said.

Describing Paraguay as an emerging partner of the Philippines in Latin America, the PCO noted that both countries share common values rooted in democracy, the rule of law and a commitment to international cooperation.

The Philippines and Paraguay established formal diplomatic relations on Dec. 12, 1962.