PH, Georgia bolster cooperation

THE Philippines and Georgia agreed to further enhance bilateral ties at the 3rd Political Consultations on Oct. 30, 2023, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in Tbilisi.

During the meeting, various aspects of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of inter-parliamentary, trade and investment, maritime, tourism, environment, agriculture, culture and education, were discussed.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili led their respective delegations.

Lazaro said that the continuing dialogue in the third edition of the Philippine-Georgia Political Consultations was a manifestation of the growing commitment of both countries to boost cooperation and expand ties.

«The momentum set forth by our fruitful discussions during the political consultations in Manila last year has resulted in closer bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest,» she said.

As both countries have maritime interests, the Philippines proposed to negotiate with Georgia an agreement on maritime cooperation that aims to promote the exchange of information, sharing of best practices, and people-to-people exchanges between maritime authorities and institutions.

Lazaro and Khvtisiashvili have to increase high-level exchanges and work together to enhance a two-way bilateral trade and investment arrangement between the Philippines and Georgia.

The Philippines conveyed its interest in exporting its agricultural products, such as bananas, mangoes, pineapple, coffee and tuna, to Georgia.

Both leaders had a candid exchange of views on pressing regional and international issues such as the developments in the West Philippine Sea, the Middle East, Ukraine, and the South Caucasus region.

The 2nd Philippines-Georgia Political Consultations was held in Manila on Oct. 27, 2022.