Malacañan Palace
7 April 2016
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed His Serene Highness Albert II of Monaco and members of his delegation with full military honors at the Malacañan Palace Grounds.
Members of the Philippine Cabinet and embassy officials accompanied the President during the welcome ceremony for Prince Albert II, who is on an official two-day visit.
Prince Albert II expressed his sincere thanks to the President and to the Philippine authorities for the warm welcome and marks of friendship in the Palace guestbook.
“I am convinced that our fruitful exchange will lead to strengthening the ties between our two countries. We share the same vision for future generations based on sustainable development and the preservation of our planet,” he wrote.
After their tête-a-tête and an expanded bilateral meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Monaco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gilles Tonelli. The Philippines-Monaco Framework Agreement on Cooperation entails economic, scientific, environmental, humanitarian and, disaster risk reduction and management partnership.
“His Serene Highness and I exchanged views on a number of bilateral and global issues. We are one in agreeing on the need to further expand cooperation in areas of mutual concern – with the signing of the Framework Agreement for Cooperation a concrete manifestation of this,” President Aquino said in a joint press statement.
He added that Monaco has been one of those which extended help and assistance to the Filipinos in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. He also lauded Prince Albert II for being a “strong champion for environmental protection and sustainable development.”
In a luncheon held in honor of Prince Albert II, President Aquino stressed that the country’s repeated interactions with the Monegasque Royal Family are enduring symbols of friendship that goes beyond diplomacy.
“The fellowship of nations has never been on size, power, or influence. It has always been about our willingness to reach out to our brothers and sisters from other nations: to strengthen our ties with one another as we seek to build a better future for all peoples. Monaco may be far away, and it may be a relatively small country, but you reached out to the Philippines; you have made your kindness felt; and you will always be welcome on our shores,” President Aquino remarked during the toast.
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