MANILA has formally established diplomatic relations with Niue, an island country in the South Pacific located northeast of New Zealand.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed a joint communiqué marking the beginning of diplomatic relations with visiting Niue Premier Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi.
The President met with the Niue premier in Malacañan Palace, where he expressed optimism about strengthening the two countries’ ties.
“Today marks the historic establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Niue as we signed a joint communiqué with Prime Minister Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi,” Marcos said in his official Facebook account.
“We are optimistic that stronger cooperation between our countries will lead to a better future for our people,” he added.
Premier Tagelagi, for his part, also expressed hope that the two nations’ relations would grow.
“We look forward to growing this relationship and bringing together our people,” he said.
Dubbed as “Rock of Polynesia,” Niue is one of the three states in the Realm of New Zealand and has been a self-governing nation since 1974.
Under the Niue Constitution Act 1974, New Zealand provides the necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue, as well as assistance with foreign affairs, defense and security if requested by the Government of Niue.
President Marcos also met with the Ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico to the Philippines who called on him in Malacañang.
Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of Argentina, Ambassador Antonio Jose Maria de Souza e Silva of Brazil, Ambassador Claudio Alberto Rojas Rachel of Chile, Ambassador Marcela Ordoñez Fernandez of Colombia, and Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo of Mexico paid a visit to Marcos at the President’s Hall of Palace on Tuesday, according to state-run Radio Television Malacañang.
The President, in a Facebook post, expressed gratitude to the ambassadors for paying a courtesy call.
“We look forward to strengthening ties and cooperation between our nations to realize the hopes and dreams of our people,” Marcos said.