Malaysia-Philippines Ties 'Close To Excellent' - Lazaro

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines have been described as “close to excellent,” with both nations continuing to deepen cooperation in regional affairs, as well as in trade and investment.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro attributed this to the strong relationship between the leaders of both countries - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“I would think that bilateral relations between the Philippines and Malaysia is close to excellent, if I may say so, simply because (of) our two leaders. They know each other and have very good relations,” she told Bernama and Free Malaysia Today on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Wednesday.

She said Manila has always been supportive of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship, recognising its efforts to promote regional stability, inclusive growth and a unified ASEAN agenda.

Lazaro, who was appointed as the new Foreign Affairs Secretary effective July 1, said preparations are underway for the Philippines to take on the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

She said Manila would continue the good work done by Putrajaya in 2025.

“Our priorities will be in the realm of peace and security, maritime cooperation and climate change, which is actually being done by Malaysia as the Chair in 2025,” she said, adding that more details will be provided in the fourth quarter when Malaysia’s passes the baton to the Phillipines.

On Tuesday, Lazaro, who succeeded Enrique Manalo following his appointment as the Philippines' Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on the sidelines of the ongoing AMM.

The meeting, among others, reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation since the eighth Malaysia-Philippines Joint Commission Meeting held here last October.

The 58th AMM and related meetings are taking place from July 8 to 11 under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

About 1,500 delegates from ASEAN and its external partner countries, including foreign ministers, high-ranking diplomats and senior officials, are attending 24 ministerial-level meetings over four days.

This is the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship since becoming a member of the regional bloc, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

-- BERNAMA