President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. extended his congratulations to Keir Starmer, the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, following the Labour Party's victory in the recent elections.
Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Marcos expressed his enthusiasm for strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and the UK. "On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and Keir Starmer," he said. "We wish the new government success and look forward to further strengthening our deep and longstanding ties."
Labour Party's Return to Power
The center-left Labour Party's victory marks its return to power after 14 years of Conservative government. The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the UK were established on July 4, 1946, and have been marked by collaboration in various fields.
Recent Bilateral Efforts
In August 2023, the Philippines and the UK sought to enhance their defense, maritime, and trade relations through an enhanced partnership agreement. Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and British Foreign Secretary James Spencer Cleverly signed a statement of intent to develop a framework for strengthening bilateral relations.
Shared Stance on Geopolitical Issues
The UK has supported the Philippines' stance in the West Philippine Sea dispute, condemning the "unsafe and escalatory tactics deployed by Chinese vessels" against Philippine interests. As a member of the Group of Seven (G7), the UK has voiced serious concerns and opposition to China's aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea.
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