PH, Paraguay sign deals on visa waiver, training

(UPDATE) THE Philippines and Paraguay on Monday signed two agreements calling for cooperation in business, tourism, diplomatic training, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The agreements were signed during the official visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios to Malacañang. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Peña witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training, and an Agreement on the Waiver for Visa Requirements for Holders of Ordinary Passports. Signing for the Philippines is Department if Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Teresa Lazaro, while Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruben Ramirez Lezcano signed for the Paraguayan side. The MOU for diplomatic training provides a framework to develop cooperative activities on skills development, information exchange, and other academic cooperation projects. The Visa Waiver Agreement institutionalizes the mutual provision of visa-free and free privileges for ordinary passport holders facilitating business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and Paraguay. More areas of cooperation are being explored, Marcos said. “I raised the possible Philippine export of tuna, sardines, milkfish, and other products to Paraguay, which would certainly give a boost to our local industries,” he said in a joint press conference with Peña. Peña said he expects trade relations between the two countries “to expand and diversify in a sustained manner, consolidating Paraguay as a reliable supplier of animal protein in Southeast Asia.” The Philippines, he said, is “an invaluable gateway” to the region. “I have the confidence that we both came to this first meeting with high expectations, but I’m leaving this great nation with even greater expectations about the future of our two nations and our people,” Peña said. “As the only country in Asia with Latino roots, I have no doubt that the role that you can play as a leader of the region will be fundamental for bringing together two regions share a lot in terms of expectations about the future,” Pena said. Peña made the visit to the country on the invitation of Marcos. The Philippines and Paraguay formalized diplomatic relations on Dec. 12, 1962.

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