PHL envoy presents credentials to Czech government

Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn Austria-Garcia has presented her credentials to President Vaclav Klaus. During their meeting, Garcia “committed to work" with the Czech government “to further strengthen bilateral relations" between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. Economic diplomacy will be given emphasis during Garcia’s mission, she said, citing the “potential to increase levels of bilateral trade, investments, and tourism." Garcia noted a number of pending bilateral agreements are to be concluded between the two countries. For his part, Klaus mentioned his desire to meet with President Benigno Aquino III at the 66th United Nations General Assembly in New York some time in September. With Garcia at the ceremony were her husband Rico Garcia, Second Secretary and Consul Mersole Mellejor, Finance Officer Lourdes Morallos, Protocol/Consular/Communication/Property Officer Ramon Gaspar, and Cultural/Information Officer Merlina Mellejor. Also there were officials of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimír Galuška, Director Tomas Pernicky, Lenka Holubova of the Protocol Department, and Director Jana Lottkova of the Asia-Pacific Department. Garcia’s daughter Rebecca Eloise and brother Enrique were also in Prague for the occasion. The DFA said Garcia is the first career officer to head the Embassy in Prague. Prior to her appointment, she served as deputy chief of mission of the Philippine Embassy in Norway. During her long career in the Philippine foreign service, Garcia served in the Philippine embassies in Kuala Lumpur, The Hague, Paris, Stockholm, and at the Permanent Mission in New York. – JE, GMA News