Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is scheduled to visit Manila for a significant bilateral meeting with his Filipino counterpart. The visit, set for December 9 to 10, aims to bolster cooperation in various fields such as trade and maritime affairs, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
This marks the first visit by a Danish foreign minister to the Philippines in 25 years. During his stay, Rasmussen will meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss enhancing relations in areas like green shipping, green transition, health, financial and development cooperation, and fostering people-to-people connections.
The agenda also includes discussions on regional and international issues of common interest. The DFA highlighted that the visit celebrates 78 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Denmark, emphasizing a mutual desire to strengthen partnerships in key sectors for the future.
Additionally, Rasmussen is expected to meet with the Philippine Coast Guard to gain insights into the situation in the West Philippine Sea. This engagement is seen as an opportunity for Denmark to demonstrate its commitment to promoting peace, stability, and adherence to a rules-based international order in the region.