Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA-The Embassy of Republic of the Philippines in Damascus organized a reception on the occasion of the 124th anniversary of the country’s independence day, at Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus.
In a speech during the ceremony, the Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires in Damascus Vida Soraya Verzosa shed light on the importance of Independence Day, which was hard-won and the blood of martyrs during hundreds of years of the fight against colonialism that it is an essential part of the Filipino culture.
Verzosa affirmed her country’s desire and keenness to implement the agreements signed with Syria for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
She said that the Philippines is keen to provide opportunities for economic growth and that the new President Ferdinand Marcos is interested in economic development and the talks to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
Verzosa added that Syria and the Philippines have a long history of friendship, noting that the Philippines’ independent foreign policy of “being friends with all” has opened new opportunities to work with different countries in light of the full respect for the sovereignty of countries.
Director of the Asia Department at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, Khaled Sharaf, said that relations with the Philippines are solid and deep-rooted, and Syria was among the first five countries that recognized the independence of the Philippines in 1946, which reflects its keenness and principled stance in supporting the independence, freedom and sovereignty of all countries.
Sharaf added that relations were strengthened with the opening of the Philippines Embassy in Damascus in 2008, in addition to the signing of 14 bilateral cooperation agreements in various fields, expressing hope that trade relations with the Philippines would become up to the level of political relations.
For his part, the Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Aleppo, Waseem Nanaa, said that the peoples of the two countries enjoy the same principles of life, peace, justice and hospitality.
He hoped to enhance bilateral economic, cultural and tourism cooperation efforts.
In a statement on the sidelines of the ceremony, Special Advisor at the Republic Presidency, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban stressed the importance and depth of friendship between the two countries and their peoples, as the Philippines supports Syria in a clear stance against terrorism and the two countries have strong cultural bonds.
Manar Salameh/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri
