09 June 2016 -  Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus conveyed the best wishes of President Benigno S. Aquino III to his Belarusian counterpart and reaffirmed the government’s interest to expand bilateral ties with Belarus, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, and security, among others.

Noting that the Philippines and Belarus are celebrating 20 years of friendship and fruitful cooperation this year, President Lukashenko reiterated his government’s desire to further strengthen engagement with the Philippines on various fronts.

President Lukashenko also received the credentials of 12 other envoys from Australia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Slovakia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Zimbabwe.

In his remarks, President Lukashenko told the gathered envoys that Belarus has an open economy and that “the effective economic activity relying on the balance in foreign trade and participation in the international division of labor plays an important role in the sustainable development of our country.”

He likewise assured them that “our government and citizens will provide all-round attention and assistance. The most favorable conditions will be created for your work.”

The Philippines and Belarus established diplomatic relations on May 22, 1996. Since then the two countries have fostered cordial relations cooperating on issues of common interest at the bilateral level as well as in the United Nations and other multilateral fora. END