Belarus, Philippines signed agreement on abolition of visa requirements for diplomats
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has hosted a signing ceremony of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, sb.by reports with reference to the ministry’s press service
On the Belarusian side, the document was signed by Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, on the Philippine side — by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Belarus with residence in Moscow Igor Garlit Bailen.
The conclusion of the agreement is an important practical result of the joint work of the two countries’ foreign ministries and takes place amid overall intensification of the Belarusian-Philippine dialogue. The draft agreement was initialled in October 2024 in Manila during the first round of the inter-ministerial political consultations.
Negotiations on further mutual simplification of visa rules between Belarus and the Philippines for holders of ordinary passports continue with a view to creating the most favourable conditions for the development of bilateral contacts not only in the political but also in the business and tourism spheres.
The Philippines is one of Belarus’ key countries of the far arc and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with which it is important to develop co-operation, primarily in the economic sphere. Recognising the significant potential for expanding trade liaisons, Minsk and Manila are discussing opportunities to increase bilateral trade both at the governmental level and through contacts between business associations of the two countries.
Issues of further intensification of Belarusian-Philippine interaction were tackled during the meeting between Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Ambassador Igor Garlit Bailen. The parties also discussed preparations for upcoming contacts and plans to organise joint events, exchanged views on topical issues of the global and regional agendas.
