Philippines-Swiss ties get boost after foreign minister’s visit

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is looking forward to having stronger relations with Switzerland following Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis’ visit to Manila on Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo himself announced on X yesterday that he and the visiting foreign ministry official talked about various matters of common concern.

Cassis, also a Swiss federal councilor, visited the Philippines as part of his Asia-Pacific trip aimed at bolstering Switzerland’s ties in the region.

Manalo said they discussed Philippine and Swiss ties and how both can work together to strengthen trade, investment and people-to-people relations.

“We will cooperate on addressing climate change, promoting peace and security, protecting human rights, and upholding the rules-based international order,” he said.

Rules-based international order has become a common term when the Philippines and its allied nations talk about the West Philippine Sea.

Manalo however did not specifically say if the topic was discussed during Cassis’ one-day stay in Manila after also visiting India, South Korea and China.