Nagpasalamat si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr kina Irish ambassador H.E William John Carlos at Finnish ambassador H.E. Juha Markus Pyykkö, sa papel na kanilang ginampanan para sa pagpapalalim ng ugnayan ng Pilipinas at ng kanilang mga bansa.
Sa farewell call sa Malacañang, sinabi ni Ambassador Carlos na magiging mahirap para sa kaniya na iwan ang Pilipinas, lalo’t napalapit na ang loob niya sa mga Pilipino, at sa mayamang kultura ng Pilipinas.
“[What] I like about here as well is the accessibility of the people. And the humor, it’s something that we connect with. There’s a lot of connection between my country and your country. There’s a growing relationship between Ireland and the Philippines,” —Ambassador Carlos.
Bagay na ikinatuwa ni Pangulong Marcos.
“In 2023, Ireland was the Philippines’ 27th trading partner, 31st export market, and 28th import source. Total trade in the last 10 years showed a net positive trend, peaking at $650 million in 2018. As of December 2023, there are approximately 22,000 Filipinos, who are mostly in IT, healthcare and nursing sectors, working in Ireland.” —PCO.
Sa panig naman ni Ambassador Pyykkö, kinilala nito ang mayabong na diplomatic relations ng Pilipinas at Finland.
Malaking bagay rin aniya sa balikatang ito ang reopening ng embahada ng Pilipinas sa Helsinki.
“I’m extremely happy that the Philippines is reopening in Helsinki. So, thank you for that. It’s very, very interesting,” —Amb. Pyykkö.
Sinang-ayunan ito ni Pangulong Marcos, at aniya, patatatagin pa nito ang koneksyon ng dalawang bansa.
“The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki was closed in October 2022. The Senate approved its reopening in Helsinki during the Senate Budget hearing in November 2022.” —PCO. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
