Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met with Filipino-Dutch community leaders and business stakeholders during a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands in The Hague as part of her official visit to the Netherlands.
The visit forms part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya described the trip as historic, noting that it marked the first official visit by a Philippine foreign affairs secretary to the Netherlands in 33 years.
Malaya also said the visit was the first by a foreign affairs secretary to the renovated Philippine Embassy since the completion of its major refurbishment in May 2022.
During the reception, the ambassador thanked the Embassy’s long-time partners and collaborators, including the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council, Ayuda sa Amsterdam, Filipino LGBT Europe, Knights of Rizal, SARO, Migrante Den Haag, and Stichting Bayanihan.
Speaking on behalf of the Dutch business community, PNBC Chair Ambassador Saskia De Lang highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between Asia and Europe amid growing global economic pressures.
She said many businesses in both the Philippines and the European Union continue to place importance on the proposed Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to strengthen trade and investment opportunities between the two sides.
Filipino-Dutch community representative Jofelle Tesorio also underscored the contributions of Filipinos in the Netherlands, saying many members of the community continue to thrive and compete in the Dutch labor market.
Lazaro, meanwhile, reaffirmed the strong and productive ties between the Philippines and the Netherlands, describing her visit as fruitful and noting that her meeting with the Dutch foreign minister further strengthened bilateral relations.
She also expressed gratitude to the Filipino-Dutch community, saying their presence and continued engagement reflect the enduring friendship between the two countries.
The reception concluded with a musical performance by Jaylym Aldryne B. Escorpizo, who performed “Saan Ka Man Naroroon” accompanied on piano by Ambassador Malaya.