‘Reaffirming centuries-old ties’

The President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, will travel to Madrid for the first time in an official working visit from September 14 to 15, a trip full of activities but each one equally  important.

This visit sets the apex of a string of visits in 2014 that have included Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Manuel García Margallo’s visit to the Philippines as well as the trips to Spain made by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, several Senators and House Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines, among others.

Thus, the visit of President Aquino epitomizes a pinnacle in our bilateral relationship and a true turning point toward new heights to the benefit of both countries.

As an example, the boom of the Spanish language in the Philippines, encouraged by the emerging BPO businesses covering Spanish-speaking markets, provides greater justification and relevance to the agreement on the promotion of Spanish signed by the two countries in 2010 and extended in October 2012 and whose renewal for another three years both the Philippine and Spanish sides are already working on.

Also speaking of cooperation but in broader sense, I cannot but recall that after the earthquake in Bohol, and super typhoon Yolanda, both sides have renewed their commitment to fine-tune actions and cooperation regarding risk management, which will undoubtedly be called to mind during the visit of President Aquino to Spain.

Even in times of economic uncertainty, like in the past few years, my country decided to maintain its aid to the Philippines, coherently with our centuries-old fraternal ties.  This was highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Manuel García Margallo, when during his visit to Manila last March he signed the Cooperation Agreement Framework for the next four years.

Beyond the figures, let me highlight the foresight of my predecessors to support two strategic areas no other bilateral donor had covered before and, I would even say, nobody had put faith in: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in places like the province of Albay, whose success was praised by President Aquino in his last SONA and the Mindanao peace process, since early 2011.

 When it comes to trade and investment links, the presence in the local market of long-established Spanish companies is growing due to major infrastructure and equipment projects to be carried out in the next few years so that the Philippines can spearhead regional integration. Our companies will bring to these shores expertise and experience after having competed successfully in the more demanding markets in the world. But they will also pave the way to mid-size Spanish companies. I am therefore confident that the business meetings that may be held in Madrid on the occasion of President Aquino’s visit will soon deliver results.

Without having to go far to search for an example, in 2015 we will commemorate the bicentenary of the Manila Galleon, the first maritime route that linked Europe and Asia prior to the crossing of the Central American isthmus and created a web of interests  among the economies of three continents, heralding present-day globalization. This anniversary will allow us to extol the innovative skill of our nations which contributed to the transformation of the global economy and could become a powerful incentive for our leaders, economic, cultural and social movers and shakers to jointly seek creative solutions to our common challenges and pave the way to prosperity for the two fraternal countries.

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(Luis Calvo is the Ambassador of Spain.)