PHL, South Sudan establish diplomatic ties

The Philippines and South Sudan, the world’s newest country, have established diplomatic ties, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. A Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations was signed on March 13 by Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Domingo Lucenario and Sudanese Ambassador Majok Guandong Thiep in simple ceremonies held at the United Nations office in Nairobi. The communiqué signed by Manila officially recognizes South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state soon after it declared its independence on July 9, 2011. South Sudan used to be part of Sudan until two civil wars prompted it to break away from the conflict-stricken nation. “The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Sudan is significant in many ways,”Lucenario said in his remarks during the signing. “It will mutually benefit our respective countries and peoples because we would now be able to intensify relations in various common areas of cooperation.” There are more than 300 Filipinos working in South Sudan, Lucenario said, adding that the Philippines and the Filipino people would like to contribute more in the coming months and years in the development and reconstruction of South Sudan. The Philippines also looks forward to strengthening economic relations with South Sudan, he said. In the international arena, Lucenario said Manila looks forward to working closely with South Sudan on various global issues. The two envoys also discussed the need to establish a Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation to identify various areas of cooperation to benefit the peoples of the Philippines and South Sudan. - Michaela del Callar, VVP, GMA News