Philippines, Spain sign 3 cooperation pacts

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and Spain have signed three agreements that would further boost cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miguel Angel Moratinos on Tuesday exchanged signed bilateral agreements after an hour-long meeting in Manila.

The three documents were a memorandum of agreement among the Department of Health, Department of Budget and Management and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation providing a 5-million euro grant for the improvement of health services in the Bicol and Caraga regions; another providing authorization for dependents of diplomatic and consular personnel to seek remunerated employment; and a third allowing foreign service schools in the Philippines and Spain to coordinate in the training of future diplomats.

Romulo and Moratinos exchanged views on a host of other issues, including new opportunities for cooperation and development in their respective countries and regions.

The Spanish official also said King Juan Carlos had accepted an invitation from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to visit the Philippines.

Ways to increase cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) were also discussed by the two ministers.

Spain will play a prominent role in the European Union next year as it assumes the presidency in January for a six-month term.

Moratinos and senior officials from his ministry were in Manila for a three-day official visit which ended Thursday.–Cynthia Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer