Malaya (left) presents a copy of the book to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low during its launch in Kuala Lumpur on June 12.
KUCHING: Valuable materials on Philippine-Malaysia relations are now more accessible to policy makers and the general public with the publication of a book on Philippine-Malaysia agreements by the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Entitled ‘Philippines-Malaysia Agreements (1964-2014): Cornerstones of a Partnership’, the book features 20 agreements, protocols, and declarations signed between the two countries, covering culture, education, political, economic, tourism, environment, defence and law enforcement cooperation.
The 189-page compendium includes an overview of Philippine-Malaysia relations, a chronology of significant events in the two countries’ relations and the Embassy’s major activities during the last three years.
The book was formally launched during the Embassy’s reception in commemoration of the 117th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12 at The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J Eduardo Malaya, who served as the editor, presented a copy of the book to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, the reception’s guest-of-honour.
“The last few years have seen milestones in Philippines-Malaysia relations, notably the exchange of high-level visits in 2013 and 2014 between President Benigno S Aquino III and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. These developments underscore the enduring friendship between the two neighbouring countries and Asean founding members,” Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F del Rosario said in the book’s foreword.
“As reflected in signed agreements, the compendium places in proper context the current and past initiatives to address challenges and harness opportunities to deepen our bilateral engagements,” he added.
Del Rosario also commended the embassy team for their initiative in putting together the compendium, a ‘best practice’ in the Philippine Foreign Service.
The embassy team that worked on the book project and assisted Malaya were Career Minister Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena, Attaché Iris Vrenelli Felizmarie Marcelo and former Attaché (Political) Zaide Castro-Fuerzas.
In his preface, Ambassador Malaya noted the various purposes of the book.
“This book is meant as a reference material for policymakers, diplomats and other government officials in addressing the complex and often interconnected issues between the two countries and in moving the relations forward.
“It also aims to provide a platform for exploring other agreements, especially in the fields of health, agriculture and trade, which have been proposed and currently under consideration.
“Researchers and students could also benefit from this book in the conduct of their studies and other projects that may complement efforts in enhancing Philippines-Malaysia ties,” he said.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Malaysia began in 1959 when the Philippine Legation was established in Kuala Lumpur.