Latest news with #MariaTheresaLazaro
Observer
7 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman, Philippines sign visa waiver pact for diplomatic passports
MANILA: Oman and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a mutual visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. The agreement was signed during a meeting between Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, and Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, in Manila. Both sides agreed to pursue efforts to sign several memoranda of understanding and agreements that would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two ministers also agreed to hold the second Oman-Philippines Investment Forum in Muscat next year to foster sustainable economic ties. On the political front, the two sides exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest, including consultations on knowledge exchange, skills development, and strengthening partnerships between Asean and the GCC. Lazaro expressed profound gratitude for Oman's humanitarian efforts, which recently led to the release of several sailors from the MV Galaxy Leaders in Yemen. She also commended the wise and balanced foreign policy of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the fair treatment of Filipino workers in Oman. She welcomed the outcomes of the successful Oman-Cebu Investment Forum and expressed interest in supporting further private-sector initiatives to leverage available investment opportunities. Sayyid Badr appreciated the remarks of the secretary, emphasising the shared values and friendship that continue to grow in service of mutual interests and common prosperity. The meeting was attended by Nasser bin Said al Manouri, Oman's Ambassador to the Philippines; Raul Hernandez, the Philippine Ambassador to Oman, and some officials. — ONA
Muscat Daily
15-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman, Philippines strengthen ties with visa exemption agreement
Manila, Philippines – Oman and the Philippines have signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, in a move that reflects growing bilateral relations and commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors. The agreement was signed on Monday during a meeting in Manila between Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, and Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. The two ministers reviewed ways to further develop cooperation, particularly in economic and scientific fields. They agreed to continue efforts to finalise several bilateral memoranda of understanding, including an agreement to avoid double taxation and another to encourage and protect mutual investments. The ministers also agreed to convene the second Oman-Philippines Investment Forum in Muscat next year, aimed at strengthening sustainable economic ties between the two countries. On political matters, the discussions included regional developments and mechanisms to enhance cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly in knowledge exchange, capacity building and strategic partnerships. The Philippine foreign minister expressed appreciation for Oman's recent humanitarian efforts, including its role in securing the release of sailors from the Galaxy Leader ship detained in Yemen. She also lauded the sultanate's peace diplomacy, led by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and the positive treatment of Filipino workers in Oman. Maria welcomed the outcomes of the recent Oman-Cebu Investment Forum and expressed her country's interest in expanding such initiatives, encouraging private sector engagement and investment. Sayyid Badr, in turn, commended the Philippines' support and affirmed the strong ties between the two nations. He noted the shared human values and friendship that continue to guide cooperation for mutual benefit. The meeting was attended by Nasser bin Saeed al Manouri, Ambassador of Oman to the Philippines, Raul Hernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines to Oman, and other officials from both sides.
NHK
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Manila marks 9 years since court win over South China Sea
The Philippines is marking nine years since an international tribunal dismissed China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. Manila and Beijing have been locked in a longstanding dispute over the waters. People in Manila are celebrating the anniversary. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled China had infringed on the Philippines' fishing rights in the waters. Ambassadors from at least 11 countries, including Japan and the US, attended an event on Friday, showing support for the Philippines. The foreign secretary of the Philippines, Maria Theresa Lazaro, condemned China, saying it persists with illegal, coercive and aggressive actions. She said, "Nine years hence, its legitimacy continues to be tested, challenged and subverted, putting not only the Philippines' maritime interests in peril, but also the regional stability and prosperity we are all working so hard to achieve." She said the countries can navigate through obstacles together as they defend the rules-based order in the maritime domain. Beijing has rejected the 2016 ruling and continued to flex its muscles in the South China Sea. Last year, it unilaterally revised its territorial baselines in what was seen as an attempt to consolidate its control over the area.
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines doubles down on 2026 target for South China Sea Code of Conduct
Philippine foreign secretary Maria-Theresa Lazaro speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting. KUALA LUMPUR : The Philippines wants Asean to do everything in its capacity to conclude the long-delayed Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea by 2026, its foreign secretary Maria-Theresa Lazaro said today. Speaking on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Lazaro said the 2023 declaration by Asean foreign ministers to complete the CoC within three years showed clear political will, and that momentum must be sustained. She said her country believed 'we should do everything in our capacity' to finish the Code of Conduct, together with China, in 2026 in accordance with the decision made by the foreign ministers in 2023. She added that this was also the view of most, if not all, Asean member states. Asked if a political or non-legally binding version of the code should be considered, Lazaro said the Philippines was 'not of the mindset'. 'The Philippines is of the view that we should continue discussing the important details of the code of conduct,' she reiterated. Progress on the code has been lagging, with the Philippines, one of the frontline states, being increasingly vocal about the importance of ensuring a substantive and legally binding agreement. China's claims over the South China Sea are disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. With Manila set to chair Asean in 2026, the year the bloc aims to finalise the CoC, some observers have speculated that the Philippines' more confrontational stance towards Beijing could complicate negotiations. But Susannah Patton of Australia's Lowy Institute said expectations of the chair's influence might be overstated. 'It is important in terms of setting an agenda, convening and so forth, but ultimately it remains a group that's based on consensus, and so underlying dynamics continue to be more important than the role of any one individual chair,' she said. Joanne Lin of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute echoed that view, saying broader economic and strategic interests would ultimately guide Asean's posture, regardless of who held the chairmanship. 'Asean is also going to adopt a plan of action with China (the 2026 to 2030 plan of action), and that's going to come with a lot of forward-looking, emerging areas of cooperation, trade and investment that Asean really needs at this point in time,' she said.
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over travel ban on former senator
The Philippine foreign ministry has summoned the Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian after Beijing hit the former Senate majority leader with a travel ban for his stance on the South China Sea. Francis Tolentino, a key ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, has been barred from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry last week. Beijing said the ban was the result of his 'egregious conduct on China-related issues'. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Claire Castro, a presidential spokeswoman, read out a statement from the Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro that said: 'The [Department of Foreign Affairs] conveyed to the Chinese side that while the imposition of such sanctions falls within China's legal prerogative, the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states.' Lazaro said that the foreign ministry 'reminded the ambassador that as a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression', and emphasised that senators and other elected officials had a mandate to inquire into issues of national interest. 'The department remains committed to addressing differences through diplomacy and dialogue and looks forward to continued constructive engagement with China to promote mutual understanding,' the statement added. The Chinese embassy said that Huang had told the Philippine foreign ministry that 'some anti-China politicians in the Philippines have adopted a series of malicious words and deeds on issues related to China for their own selfish interests'.
