PRESS RELEASE
PR-010-2024
26 February 2024, Singapore – Following the success of the 6th Informal Consultations on the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan (IC-PSAP) held on 20 February 2024 in Makati City, Philippines, Ambassador Medardo G. Macaraig returned to Singapore, and expressed pleasure on the direction of the Philippines’ relations with Singapore and expressed that he looks forward to the activities and programs being planned by the Embassy this year to mark the 55 years of enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Macaraig joined the Philippine delegation led by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) Aileen Mendiola-Rau, who co-chaired the said meeting with Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Deputy Secretary for Southeast Asia and ASEAN, Foo Chi Hsia.
During the IC-PSAP, Assistant Secretary Mendiola-Rau and Deputy Secretary Foo reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore. On 16 May 2024, the Philippines and Singapore will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Both the Philippines and Singapore noted with satisfaction the substantial progress between our countries’ bilateral relations in the areas of defense and security, trade and investment, culture and people-to-people ties, and explored potential areas of cooperation in the fields of energy, climate change, health and maritime domain. Both sides also had a fruitful discussion on relevant and pressing regional issues such as the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.
Joining the Philippine delegation were representatives from other relevant Philippine government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of Migrant Workers.
Deputy Secretary Foo was joined by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, led by Director-General of Southeast Asia Directorate II Mr. Loy Hui Chen and the Singapore Embassy in Manila, led by Ambassador Constance See.
While in the Philippines, Ambassador Macaraig also joined the courtesy call by Deputy Secretary Foo on DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral and ASEAN Affairs Maria Theresa P. Lazaro on 21 February 2024.
The IC-PSAP was established in 1998 by President Fidel V. Ramos and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as a mechanism for strengthened bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore in various fields of interest. Both countries regularly review the implementation of the PSAP through regular Informal Consultations, the latest iteration (5th) of which was hosted by Singapore virtually on 14 July 2021.
The 6th IC-PSAP was the first in-person Consultation held after the pandemic. The next IC-PSAP will be hosted by Singapore. (END).
For the Press Release of the Department of Foreign Affairs, please check this link:
For the Press Release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, please check this link: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2024/02/nformal-Consultations-on-the-Philippines-Singapore-Action-Plan
