Outgoing Finnish Ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö on Monday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for reopening the Philippine embassy in Helsinki, Finland this year.

In his farewell call to the President in Malacañang, Pyykkö expressed elation over the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in the Finnish capital.

“I’m extremely happy that the Philippines is reopening in Helsinki. So, thank you for that. It’s very, very interesting,” Pyykkö told Marcos, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

For his part, Marcos said the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki is important as it will further strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and Finland, which was established on July 14, 1955.

It will be beneficial not only for the two countries but “for everyone else,” he said.

“These relationships provide us a solid footing in terms of our relationships around them with not only amongst ourselves, but [also] with other countries,” Marcos said.

The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki was closed in October 2012.

The Senate approved its reopening during a budget hearing in November 2022.

Irish envoy attached to PH hospitality

Irish Ambassador William John Carlos also paid his farewell to the President on Monday in the Palace.

Speaking before President Marcos, Carlos said it would be difficult for him to leave the country as he is already attached to Filipinos’ hospitality and the country’s rich culture.

“[What] I like about here as well is the accessibility of the people. And the humor, it’s something that we connect with,” Carlos said.

“There’s a lot of connection between my country and your country. There’s a growing relationship between Ireland and the Philippines,” he added.

For his part, Marcos said he is very happy to know that the Irish ambassador had a wonderful stay in the Philippines and was able to visit some places in the country.

The Philippines and Ireland established diplomatic relations in July 1984. (PNA)