Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation Jesus Garcia is currently in the country for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Manila and Madrid.
Major Spanish initiatives in the Philippines—the single priority country for Spanish cooperation in Southeast Asia and former colony of Spain for more than four centuries—is focused on two areas: governance and natural disaster-risk prevention and management.
In his meetings with Philippine officials, Garcia will express Spain’s continued commitment to the peace process in Mindanao, allocating a significant part of its cooperation resources to the country, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, its embassy in Manila said on Wednesday.
He is scheduled to hold meetings with Foreign Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras, National Economic and Development Authority Director General Emmanuel F. Esguerra and Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr.
In his bilateral talks with Philippine officials, the embassy said Garcia will reaffirm Spanish humanitarian assistance to the country, which is vulnerable to natural disasters.
While in Manila, the embassy added that Garcia will also participate in the event launching of the international Spanish culinary event, called Madrid Fusión Manila.
He has been invited to the gala cocktail reception of Madrid Fusión Manila, to be held at the Palace, with the President as guest of honor.
Madrid Fusión Manila, the embassy said, aims to put the Philippines on the map of gastronomy in Asia while promoting tourism, as well as to strengthen the ties between Asia, Latin America and Europe.
“The Philippines can play a significant role, and Spain is willing to act as a strategic ally with a strong bond to the community of Latin American nations,” the embassy said.
This year’s Madrid Fusion Manila theme is: ”The Manila Galleon: East Meets West,” a tribute to the 450th anniversary of the galleon trade, which connected Asia and the Western world, covering initially the sea route between Manila and Acapulco and back, and later all the way to Spain, to Seville and later Cadiz, through the port of Veracruz.
Garcia, meanwhile, will also travel to Zamboanga to check on Spanish cooperation projects and meet with local authorities and representatives of Spanish non-governmental organizations present in the region.