Press Release
June 13, 2013

ANGARA: PHIL-SPANISH TIES MUST REFLECT STRONGER
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

MADRID, SPAIN--Senator Edgardo J. Angara gave a special message as the guest of honor during the joint celebration of the 115th Philippine Independence Day and the 11th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day at the Philippine Embassy.

Angara, author of the law honoring the long-standing link between Spain and the Philippines, highlighted the shared history between the two countries in his keynote speech.

"From a relationship between colony and colonizer, these ties have grown to become a partnership of equals between two free nations made special because of a shared heritage and future," he said.

According to Angara, vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, our country should seize this chance to work together with Spain and other nations in Latin America, as the world's economic center is shifting towards Asia.

"Global production is migrating towards the East, boosting predictions of an approaching 'Asian Century'," he explained.

In contrast with the economic slump hitting Spain and their neighboring countries, the veteran legislator and vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Finance cited the continuous growth of our nation's GDP, as well as the recent upgrades of our international credit and investment grade ratings.

As the Philippines embarks on a steady economic renaissance, said Angara, we can leverage on our strengths as a nation and elevate our relationship with these countries to a more synergistic, mutually beneficial level.

"Our ties with Spain should be reimagined, reviewed and recast. The Philippines can truly serve as Spain's gateway to the ASEAN, the conduit between Spanish creativity and Asian dynamism," said Angara.

Angara authored RA 9187, establishing June 30th of every year as the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. First celebrated in 2002, the annual commemoration is now on its 11th year and will be held in Baler, Aurora.

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