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Ni ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
SUPORTADO ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez ang pagpapalalim at pagpapalawak sa ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Republic of Korea (ROK) na pangunahing tinalakay sa inihandang state luncheon sa Malacañang bilang parangal kina South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at First Lady Kim Keon Hee kahapon.
Para kay Speaker Romualdez, malaking bentahe ang pagbisita ni Pangulong Yoon sa pagpapatibay ng ugnayan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa. Ngayong taon ipinagdiwang ang ika-75 taong anibersaryo ng diplomatic relations ng Pilipinas at South Korea.
“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations this year, President Yoon’s visit is a milestone that sets the stage for an even closer partnership. The elevation of our relations to a strategic partnership signals our shared commitment to navigate the increasingly complex global landscape together,” pahayag ni Romualdez.
“Congress is fully committed to nurturing and expanding our dynamic and multifaceted relations with South Korea. This partnership is vital to achieving shared prosperity and mutual growth,” dugtong ng lider ng Kamara.
Tiwala rin si Romualdez na lalo pang yayabong ang relasyon ng dalawang bansa sa larangan ng modernisasyon ng depensa, ugnayang pang-ekonomiya at palitan ng kultura.
“South Korea has long been one of our most reliable partners, not only in terms of trade but also in defense and security. Our nations continue to benefit greatly from this relationship,” punto ng Leyte solon.
Kinilala ni Speaker Romualdez ang mahalagang papel ng South Korea sa modernisasyon ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at humanitarian efforts sa mga joint exercise gaya ng KAMANDAG.
“South Korea is a trusted defense partner, and their support for our military modernization and the Philippine Coast Guard is crucial to strengthening our national security and territorial integrity,” dagdag pa ng lider-kongresista.
Binanggit din ni Speaker Romualdez ang lumalawak na kooperasyon ng dalawang bansa sa larangan ng ekonomiya, partikular ang pagkumpleto ng domestic requirements para sa bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), na lalo pang magpapalalim sa relasyong pangkalakalan ng mga nabanggit na estado.
“South Korea remains a key trading partner, and with the FTA, we foresee greater opportunities to expand our trade relations and increase economic exchanges for the benefit of both nations,” aniya pa.
Ikinalugod ni Romualdez ang kahandaan ng ROK na suportahan ang mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura ng Pilipinas gaya ng pagsasagawa ng feasibility study sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant para sa pag-unlad ng nuclear technology ng bansa.
“South Korea’s contributions to our development priorities through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund have been invaluable, and we look forward to continued cooperation in areas such as energy and infrastructure.”
