By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Palau and the Philippines have forged deeper diplomatic relations, stressing the need for collaboration amid growing regional challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change and maritime security.
“As we navigate contemporary challenges, it is imperative that we engage diplomatically and collaborate closely.” Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said during his visit to Manila last week.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his country’s bilateral relations with Palau have much potential to grow as gleaned from the discussions during Whipps' visit.
Palau and the Philippines hammered out agreements, which Marcos said formed "the building blocks of this new phase in our relations."
The two leaders agreed to continue consultations and engagements between their countries and to pursue a common vision of peace, prosperity, and progress for the peoples of the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Palau Minister of State Gustav Aitaro signed a memorandum of understanding on policy consultations, establishing a mechanism for exchanging views on bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as international issues of mutual concern.
“In our policy consultation between our governments, we want to encourage sharing of information on an official level,” Whipps said.
They also signed diplomatic notes allowing Palauan officials and stakeholders to conduct study visits to Philippine agricultural facilities.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Minister Steven Victor of Palau’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment signed an MOU on fisheries cooperation.
The agreement fosters collaboration on conservation efforts, joint research, and measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
“This agreement also signals our common desire to ensure sustainability in our life-giving waters. We commit as well to work for joint fisheries conservation and to combat illegal, unreported, and unrelated, unregulated fishing practices,” Marcos said.
Whipps said Palau’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, along with the Ministry of Aquaculture, Fisheries and Environment, will focus on promoting fishing ventures and aquaculture, enhancing trade and investment in fisheries, complementing the joint efforts to combat illegal fishing.
Marcos said he hopes to expand the Philippines' engagement with Palau “in practical and impactful ways from agriculture and fisheries to development and technical cooperation.”
“As climate-vulnerable developing archipelagic Pacific nations confronting the challenges of natural disasters and sea level rise, our two countries understand the urgency of effective disaster risk management and collective climate action,” Marcos said.
“We hope to further advance our mutual support in various fora in these critical areas," he added.
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