Phl joins 1st Parliamentary Encounter with Argentina, Asean on South-South Dialogue

MANILA, Sept 7 -- The Philippines, through its Embassy in Buenos Aires, participated in the First Parliamentary Encounter between Argentina and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on South-South Dialogue and Cooperation which was held at the Argentine National Parliament Building on September 3 and 4.

The two-day event was organized by the recently-established Parliamentary Friendship Group with Asean of the Argentine National Congress and the five Asean embassies in Buenos Aires such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Asean as well as highlight the growing economic and political importance of Asean and the opportunities for closer Argentina-Asean ties, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The parliamentary encounter comprised an academic conference and seminar as well as a cultural exhibition which was opened to the general public.

The seminar was held on September 3 under the theme “45 years of Asean: Progress and Challenges in its Relations with Argentina.”

Renowned professors from three universities such as the National University of La Plata, University of Tres de Febrero and the Inter-American Open University in Buenos Aires were invited to spearhead the discussions.

Academicians, journalists, international relations experts, and students also took part in the seminar.

For the two-day cultural exhibition, the five Asean countries displayed their respective traditional handicrafts and mounted a collage of five-minute cultural and tourism video on each country.

Vice Speaker of the Argentine National Congress Norma Abdala de Matarazzo led the well-attended closing ceremony in the afternoon of September 4.

Each of the five Asean embassies, through their respective heads, also delivered brief closing remarks and extended their gratitude and appreciation to the Argentine National Congress for the successful organization of the event--the first of its kind between the Argentine National Congress and all the Asean embassies in Buenos Aires.

Argentine Parliamentary Friendship Group President Maria Eugenia Zamarreño, who was the overall coordinator for the event, is scheduled to visit the Philippines next week as part of a delegation of Argentine government officials. (DFA)

Sourced: pia.gov