The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of PhilippinesEnrique A. Manalo, traveled to Cyprus from June 21 to 23, 2024, invited by the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos Kombos.
The historic visit was the first to Cyprus by a Philippine Foreign Secretary. It is an auspicious development as the Philippines and Cyprus prepare to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral relations in 2025. Secretary Manalo took the opportunity to meet with some of Cyprus’ top officials, the Cypriot President, the Cypriot Speaker of Parliament, and the Cypriot Foreign Minister, to discuss ways to enhance Philippine-Cyprus cooperation, and increase collaboration between the two countries.
Secretary Manalo first met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in anticipation of the 45th anniversary of Philippine-Cyprus ties in 2025.
Secretary Manalo then held fruitful discussions with Cypriot Foreign Minister Kombos, where they identified maritime cooperation, trade and investment, education, and cultural cooperation as priority areas of collaboration. They discussed specific initiatives, such as a possible training exchange program for Philippine port and border officials at the Cypriot Centre for Land, Port and Open Sea Security (CYCLOPS). They also exchanged updates on proposed agreements that both sides are currently reviewing, in areas such as higher education and youth and sports.
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In addition, the two officials exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues, including the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, cooperation with the EU, and developments in Ukraine and Gaza. In his remarks to the press following the meeting, Secretary Manalo noted the rich maritime history shared by the Philippines and Cyprus, and how this underpins their common interest in a rules-based world order and international law, especially UNCLOS, to promote peace and stability. Cypriot Foreign Minister Kombos also noted in his statement that both countries share core values: democracy and respect for international law and the Law of the Sea.
Secretary Manalo also met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou, with whom he discussed the expansion of parliamentary exchanges between the two countries, through visits by legislators.
They discussed specific initiatives, such as a possible training exchange program for Philippine port and border officials.
In the afternoon, Secretary Manalo inaugurated the newly renovated Philippine Honorary Consulate in Nicosia, Cyprus.
He conveyed to the Filipino community in Cyprus that his visit to the country underlined the importance the Philippines attaches to providing essential services to Filipinos abroad. He also thanked the Philippine Embassy in Athens and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Nicosia Kriton Tornaritis for their work on behalf of the Filipino community.
Secretary Manalo also visited the Port of Larnaca, the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and the Cyprus Centre for Land, Port and Offshore Security (CYCLOPS). Officials from these facilities showed him the latest maritime and port security technologies and techniques, as well as Cypriot humanitarian aid programs for Gaza.
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