The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday announced that Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is set to visit the Philippines on December 9 to 10, 2024.
In a statement, the DFA said Rasmussen’s visit to the country marks the first time that a Danish foreign minister will visit the Philippines in 25 years.
“The visit underscores the 78 years of Philippines-Denmark bilateral relations and the like-minded interest to forge even stronger partnerships in future-leading sectors,” the Foreign Affairs Department said.
“To promote closer bilateral relations between the Philippines and Denmark, the Foreign Minister’s meeting with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo will focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade and investments, maritime cooperation, green shipping, green transition, health, financial and development cooperation, and people-to-people links,” it said.
The DFA said Manalo and Rasmussen will exchange views and insights on regional and international issues of mutual concern, in relation to the shared commitment of the Philippines and Denmark to promote peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.
Ahead of Rasmussen’s visit, the Danish Embassy in Manila joined the European Union and other nations in expressing concern over China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.
Several countries aired such statements after the Chinese Coast Guard on Wednesday launched water cannon attacks and rammed a Philippine civilian vessel in the vicinity of the contested Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
“Deeply concerned at #China’s continued aggressive actions against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. China’s actions undermine the Law of the Seas, UNCLOS and maritime safety,” said Denmark Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
On the economic front, the Philippines lifted last November a ban on importing domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Denmark nearly two years after the directive was imposed.
The ban was lifted after the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration informed the World Organization for Animal Health that all cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the European country had been resolved, and no additional outbreaks had been reported since September 12, 2024. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
