President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. warmly welcomed Polish Foreign Minister H.E. Radosław Sikorski, who paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday afternoon, despite the rainy weather brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng.

“Welcome to the Philippines, once again. It’s been too long since your last visit when you were at the Defense Ministry,” President Marcos told Sikorski, who first visited the Philippines in 2006 in his capacity as Poland’s Defense Minister.

President Marcos expressed his appreciation for Sikorski’s visit to the Philippines, especially “considering the situation in Europe,” with reference to the current geopolitical developments.

“So, the importance you have given to the Indo-Pacific is a significant symbol, message to the rest of the world on how we stand together. So, we thank you for that,” the Chief Executive said.

For his part, Sikorski expressed gratitude “for the time and honor” extended by the President to him and his delegation. He also commended President Marcos for his “very successful diplomacy” and security efforts.

“As we are very impressed by a number of defense cooperation agreements with the Philippines – and I’m very pleased with the conversations that we have to prioritize,” Sikorski told President Marcos.

Sikorski’s visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Poland, formally established on September 22, 1973.

Poland has been supplying the Philippines with Black Hawk helicopters and was the country’s 9th top trading partner among European Union countries in 2023. Poland also serves as a second home to almost 3,000 Filipinos. PND