New envoy to Duterte: Romania can be Philippines' advocate in EU

Romania can be an advocate of the Philippines' interests in the European Union, its ambassador told President Rodrigo Duterte when she presented her credentials in Malacanang on Wednesday.

Romanian Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache also asked that the Philippines reopen the Philippine embassy in Romania as both countries continue their  bilateral relations.

"Romania has been a member state of the European Union since 2007. We believe that it's high time that we get to understand you better so that we can be a good friend and a trusted advocate of your interests and aspirations in the European Union," Matache said.

"None of these can be achieved unless we also step up the political and diplomatic dialogue. And this is what we want to do, this is what my mandate says," she added.

Matache said 2022 would be a milestone year for the bilateral relations "as we prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations." 

"We very much hope that the Philippines will decide to reopen their embassy in Romania as a symbol of trust in the robustness and the perennity of our bilateral relations," Matache said. 

Since there is no Philippine embassy in Romania, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) previously said Philippine embassies in Budapest and Berlin are helping out in repatriation efforts in Romania. —NB, GMA News