For two days, Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen will be in Manila to strengthen ties with the Philippines and advance economic cooperation in the areas of innovation, technology, water, and agriculture.
Early on Sunday evening, Cohen and a business delegation from Israel arrived. He will meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in a one-on-one setting while in the Philippines, where he will also pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Two Days Philippines Visit
He will also have a meeting with Arsenio Molino Balisacan, the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, to go through several topics, including trade potential.
Earlier this week, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss said Israel’s Foreign Minister’s visit to the Philippines reassured the Philippines that Israel is a friend and ally, and the relationship remains strong going forward.”
- Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen visits Manila for two days to strengthen ties.
- Cohen, Israeli delegation visit Philippines, meet Manalo, Marcos Jr.
- Duterte’s visit allows Israel to establish defense offices, and strengthen ties.
The visit of Cohen, according to the Israeli embassy, is a “strong political and economic message,” and it comes as a follow-up to the trip to Israel that former President Rodrigo Duterte made in 2018.
As a result of Duterte’s official visit, Israel now has the chance to open defense and economic attaché offices in the Philippines, create possibilities for overseas Filipino workers, and strengthen defense ties. This year, the two nations are commemorating 65 years of bilateral ties.
Two new Shaldag Mark V gunboats with missile capability were recently delivered to the Philippine Navy by Israel Shipyards Ltd. To familiarise Philippine security and defense organizations with modern security technologies, notably those created by Israeli firms, the Israeli embassy also sponsored a seminar on anti-drone technology.
Along with other attempts to strengthen the Philippines’ agricultural industry, Israel has expanded its experience in modernizing farming beyond just military ties.
