Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Argentine Embassy in Manila celebrated the 209th anniversary of Argentina’s National Day and the Malbec World Day at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila on Thursday.
Present during the event were Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Executive Director Jaime Ramon Ascalon Jr. and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Gabriele Giordano Caccia, who shared the stage with outgoing Argentine Ambassador to the Philippines Jose Nestor Ureta.
Ureta also took the opportunity to announce his retirement after almost 42 years in the foreign service. He praised Filipinos for being hospitable, polite, and hardworking.
The envoy recently paid a farewell call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte in Malacañang.
The Philippines and the Argentine Republic’s diplomatic relations began in 1948. During the second quarter of 2018, the Argentine Republic carried out various artistic, cultural, and promotional events in the Philippines.
The two countries have joined efforts to give Filipino agricultural producers better tools to enhance their production. There have also been initiatives on capacity building, food security, and improving vegetable production.
“Just months ago, we were glad to see the beginning of the cooperation project on organic rice,” Ureta said.
Moreover, Argentina has implemented the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to make it faster and easier for Filipinos to travel to Argentina.
“Argentina is grateful for the support of the Philippines for signing my country access to the Treaty of Amity — our cooperation in Southeast Asia and Singapore,” he added.
“The occasion provided me a chance to contemplate with optimism and confidence on the state of our bilateral relations. The Philippines is a nation to which we share a similar inspiration and determination for a better future for our people and international community,” he said.
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