Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala (L) arrives at the Kalayaan Ground in Malacañang and welcomed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Photo by Daphne Galvez)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday led the welcome ceremony for Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Malacañang as the latter is in the country for a three-day official visit.
Marcos is joined by Cabinet members and his son, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, in welcoming the Czech Prime Minister.
Philippine troops also give arrival honors to Fiala, the first European leader to grace Malacañang grounds since Marcos assumed office in June last year.
Cabinet officials present during the welcome ceremony are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manalo, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Press Sec. Cheloy Garafil, National Security Council Sec. Eduardo Año, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Defense Sec. Carlito Galvez.
Also present was the Philippine ambassador to the Czech Republic, Eduardo Martin Meñez.
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala arrives here at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan and he is welcomed by President Marcos. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/M9rmCITG7F
— Daphne Galvez (@daphnegalvez_) April 17, 2023
PH troops give arrival honors for Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/5sNrjrQ2YK
— Daphne Galvez (@daphnegalvez_) April 17, 2023
Marcos and Fiala take a walk around the Kalayaan Grounds as they proceed to the Reception Hall in Malacañang. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/kkUwRWSyEi
— Daphne Galvez (@daphnegalvez_) April 17, 2023
After the military honors, Marcos and Fiala proceeded to the Reception Hall in Malacañang, where the European leader signed the Palace guestbook.
Signing the Palace guestbook is a tradition among heads of state and other high-ranking officials visiting Malacañang.
Marcos and Fiala will later hold a bilateral meeting, after which they will deliver a joint press statement.
Marcos will then host an official dinner in honor of Fiala.
Launching of the book “Kaibigan-Pratele: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue will also be held.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said Fiala’s visit to the Philippines is an “important milestone” in the relations between Manila and Prague.
The two leaders are expected to discuss issues of “mutual interest with the view of strengthening the bilateral relationship, including defense cooperation, trade and investment, university linkages, judicial cooperation, and labor cooperation.”
“They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern,” the DFA earlier said.
Marcos met Fiala on the sidelines of the 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (Asean-EU) Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium, in December 2022, where he sought the assistance of the Czech Republic in the transfer of defense technology.
Among the other aspects of cooperation they had previously discussed was “in the context of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program.”
Fiala’s visit to the Philippines came ahead of the 50th anniversary of establishing the two nations’ diplomatic relations in October.