President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the newly designated ambassadors of Italy, India, Ireland, Finland, and the European Union (EU), expressing optimism to foster stronger relations with other nations.

Marcos received the credentials of the five diplomats in separate ceremonies in Malacañang on Monday afternoon.

Presenting credentials to the host nation’s head of state formalizes a diplomat’s deployment and representation to the country.

In welcoming Italy’s Ambassador-designate Davide Giglio, Marcos said he expected him to significantly contribute to the already dynamic relations between the Philippines and Italy, expressing hope that the two nations could further work towards increasing and expanding their areas of cooperation.

He said the country is “very grateful to Italy for the show of support.”

“And we consider it not just a show of support for the Philippines, but also to the rule of law and to make it very clear on that we are like-minded states,” Marcos told Giglio, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

The Philippines and Italy celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2022.

Italy ranks as the fourth largest trading partner of the Philippines in the European Union, with more than 500 companies in the country with Italian equity.

Last year, the total trade between the Philippines and Italy reached USD1.2 billion.

India’s Ambassador-designate Harsh Kumar Jain also presented his credentials to the President, who recognized the long-standing friendship between Manila and New Delhi.

Marcos wished to reaffirm the country’s commitment to pursuing stronger political, economic, and cultural ties with the South Asian country.

Last year, the bilateral trade between the two countries reached new heights, surpassing the USD3 billion mark, according to the PCO.

Philippine exports to India exceeded USD1 billion, making the Asian giant the country’s 13th biggest export market in 2023.

India and the Philippines also have strong defense ties.

In January 2022, the Philippines concluded a deal with India for three batteries of shore-based anti-ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The first batch of missiles was delivered this April.

Ireland’s new Ambassador-designate Emma Hickey, Finland’s Ambassador Saija Nurminen, and the European Union’s Ambassador Mariomassimo Santoro also presented their credentials to the President. (PNA)