PH Senate delegation meets with Spanish King

THE Philippine Senate delegation, led by Senate President Juan Miguel «Migz» Zubiri, met with King Felipe 6th of Spain at the Palacio de la Zarzuela in Madrid on Monday.

The King received the delegation for a private meeting at the palace to discuss how best to strengthen the friendship and partnership between the Philippines and Spain, particularly in the areas of trade and industry, security and defense, and people-to-people exchanges.

Zubiri said the meeting «marks another important milestone in our countries' deep and enduring friendship.»

Senate President Juan Miguel «Migz» Zubiri led Philippine senators in meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain at the Palacio de la Zarzuela in Madrid on Monday. Photos: OS Zubiri/Senate

King Felipe 6th said that he found an opportunity to build on the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, especially given the vital presence of migrant Filipino workers in Spain.

Joining Zubiri in the delegation were Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Senators Juan Edgardo «Sonny» Angara, Mary Grace Poe, Pilar Juliana «Pia» Cayetano, Maria Lourdes «Nancy» Binay, Joseph Victor «JV» Ejercito and Mark Villar, and Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Lhuillier and Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray.

«With His Majesty's support, we hope to usher in a new era of revitalized Philippine-Spanish relations anchored on our long years of shared history,» Zubiri said.

Interparliamentary relations

The Philippine Senate delegation also met with their counterparts from the Spanish Senate, with the objective of strengthening interparliamentary relations and expanding trade between the two countries.

This visit comes as the Philippines and Spain celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

«The foundations of our friendship are anchored on our shared history, our shared culture and our shared Catholic faith,» said Zubiri. «Though we are proud to be our own independent Republic, we are also grateful for our heritage and our Hispanidad.»

While Zubiri expressed gratitude for the extension of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences under the European Union, of which Spain holds the presidency, he asked for Spanish aid in