President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his appreciation to European Commission (EC) President, Ursula von der Leyen, for undertaking her official visit to the Philippines as he warmly welcomed the visiting European leader at the Malacañan Palace on Monday.

“Your visit, Your Madame Excellency, deeply heartens us for the support of the European Union and its Member States,” President Marcos said in his toast remarks, welcoming the EU Commission president and her delegation to the Malacañan Palace.

“We also consider your visit as the EU’s renewed commitment to work with the Philippines shoulder-to-shoulder,” the chief executive added.

The President mentioned that the Philippines and the EU are set to bring about a global community that upholds democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, brought about by their common goals.

The strengthening of the bilateral ties in trade, development, digital connectivity, and other sectors is expected to positively impact the respective economies of both sides, according to the President.

Before ending his toast, the President once again expressed his deepest thanks and hopes for a continuous relationship among the nations.

“I sincerely wish and hope that this warm kinship developing between us will set the tone of the relationship and enrich the enduring bonds of friendship between our governments and peoples in the years to come,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos was also welcomed by Von de Leyen in Brussels when he attended the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in December last year, an event shepherded in part by the Philippines as ASEAN Country Coordinator for 2021 to 2024.

The European Union has been an important longstanding partner of the Philippines, especially in times of geopolitical upheavals, and economic disruptions, among others. | PND