Manila, Jul 31 (EFE).- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began her two-day official visit to the Philippines on Monday with a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang presidential palace in Manila.
Von der Leyen, the first EC president to visit the Philippines, seeks during her trip to “give a new impetus to the EU-Philippines bilateral relations” and to discuss issues such as trade, green and digital transition and security, according to a European Union statement.
During her meeting with Marcos, the European leader is scheduled to discuss trade and investment, among other issues.
Von der Leyen will also participate in a meeting with business owners organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Makati Business Club.
Her visit comes in response to Marcos’ December invitation when the two leaders met in Brussels at the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, and occurs on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the bloc and the Southeast Asian country. EFE
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