Marcos welcomes new ambassadors from Slovak Republic, Papua New Guinea, Lao PDR

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the three newly appointed ambassadors of the Slovak Republic, Papua New Guinea, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the Philippines and expressed confidence in enhanced cooperation with these countries.

In a statement on Friday, the Presidential Communications Office said Marcos welcomed Ambassador Stephen Pokanis of Papua New Guinea, Miloš Koterec of the Slovak Republic, and Thiphasone Sengsourinha of the Lao DPR as they presented their credentials during a simple ceremony at Malacañang.

Marcos said it was a “great honor” for him to welcome Koterec as Slovakia’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines, adding that the two countries have much to do and develop.

He further stressed a strong potential for expanded collaboration, mentioning a wide range of activities and areas for the Philippines and the Slovak Republic to navigate and discuss during the envoy’s tenure in the country.

Regarding Papua New Guinea, Marcos also expressed optimism that “the relationship will continue to grow and deepen in the future, through economic and people-to-people ties.”

Marcos said that the Philippines and Lao PDR have built a good relationship not only bilaterally but also through domestic contacts and ASEAN partnership.

“[T]here’s still much that we can do to promote that relationship,” Marcos said.

For his part, Koterec expressed full commitment to developing tangible bilateral cooperation, including economic cooperation, investments, and business partnerships.

Marcos also recognized the potential to boost people-to-people relations, including the key contributions of the 1,500 Filipinos in different sectors in the Slovak Republic. The President also welcomed the intent of the Slovak Republic to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Koterec said Slovakia also eyes substantial potential in the trade of knowledge and experience in nuclear technology, education cooperation, academic partnership, and mutual mobility of people.

Pokanis recognized the strong cooperation in trade and food investments, education and health services, and the movement of people between Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, highlighting these as key achievements in the bilateral relationship over the past 50 years.

As he handed over his credentials to Marcos, the Lao PDR envoy guaranteed his full commitment “to further advancing the good bilateral relations and cooperation between the Lao PDR and the Philippines in the coming years.” —VBL, GMA Integrated News