Paraguayan President Visits Philippines, Signs Multiple Agreements to Deepen Bilateral Ties
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios witnessed the signing of agreements on diplomatic training and mutual visa exemption, pledging to deepen bilateral ties in trade, diplomacy, tourism, and regional cooperation. This marks the first presidential visit from Paraguay since diplomatic relations were established in 1962.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 18:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 18:32 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 20:17 (1h 45m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Hang-jian, Manila, 11th) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios today witnessed the signing of agreements on diplomatic training and mutual visa exemption, and pledged to deepen bilateral ties in trade, diplomacy, tourism, and regional cooperation.
Peña, after concluding his visit to Taiwan, flew to Manila yesterday afternoon for a state visit. Today, he held bilateral talks with Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace and witnessed officials from both sides sign a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic training cooperation and a mutual visa exemption agreement.
In addition, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Paraguay's Ministry of Industry and Commerce Investment and Export Promotion Agency (REDIEX) also signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral economic, trade, and investment exchanges.
Marcos Jr. stated in his post-meeting address that he and Peña discussed how to expand cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, trade, and investment, as well as the possibility of the Philippines exporting tuna, sardines, and milkfish to Paraguay.
He said that the Philippines positions itself as the "Gateway to Asia," while Paraguay sees itself as the "Gateway to Latin America." Such a partnership will not only benefit the two countries but also their respective regions.
The Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. Peña stated that Paraguay has formally expressed its willingness to join the "Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" (TAC) to the Philippines, demonstrating its determination to participate in Southeast Asian regional dialogue and recognizing principles such as respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The "Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" was signed by ASEAN member states at their first summit in Indonesia in 1976 and was opened to non-regional countries in 1987.
Peña also emphasized that since the Philippines opened imports of Paraguayan beef, pork, and poultry in 2025, bilateral trade has continued to grow. In the future, he hopes to further expand exports of grains, corn, oilseeds, and agro-industrial products to the Philippines to support the Philippines' food security needs.
He pointed out that Paraguay currently holds the rotating chairmanship of "Mercosur," while the Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. Both sides have agreed to explore a roadmap for deepening cooperation between the two major regions in trade, investment, and supply chains.
Malacañang Palace, the Philippine presidential palace, stated that Peña's visit is the first presidential-level visit between the Philippines and Paraguay since diplomatic relations were established on December 12, 1962, highlighting the two countries' shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and international cooperation. (Editor: Tian Rui-hua) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Hang-jian, Manila, 11th) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios today witnessed the signing of agreements on diplomatic training and mutual visa exemption, and pledged to deepen bilateral ties in trade, diplomacy, tourism, and regional cooperation.
Peña, after concluding his visit to Taiwan, flew to Manila yesterday afternoon for a state visit. Today, he held bilateral talks with Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace and witnessed officials from both sides sign a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic training cooperation and a mutual visa exemption agreement.
In addition, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Paraguay's Ministry of Industry and Commerce Investment and Export Promotion Agency (REDIEX) also signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral economic, trade, and investment exchanges.
Marcos Jr. stated in his post-meeting address that he and Peña discussed how to expand cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, trade, and investment, as well as the possibility of the Philippines exporting tuna, sardines, and milkfish to Paraguay.
He said that the Philippines positions itself as the "Gateway to Asia," while Paraguay sees itself as the "Gateway to Latin America." Such a partnership will not only benefit the two countries but also their respective regions.
The Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. Peña stated that Paraguay has formally expressed its willingness to join the "Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" (TAC) to the Philippines, demonstrating its determination to participate in Southeast Asian regional dialogue and recognizing principles such as respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The "Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" was signed by ASEAN member states at their first summit in Indonesia in 1976 and was opened to non-regional countries in 1987.
Peña also emphasized that since the Philippines opened imports of Paraguayan beef, pork, and poultry in 2025, bilateral trade has continued to grow. In the future, he hopes to further expand exports of grains, corn, oilseeds, and agro-industrial products to the Philippines to support the Philippines' food security needs.
He pointed out that Paraguay currently holds the rotating chairmanship of "Mercosur," while the Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. Both sides have agreed to explore a roadmap for deepening cooperation between the two major regions in trade, investment, and supply chains.
Malacañang Palace, the Philippine presidential palace, stated that Peña's visit is the first presidential-level visit between the Philippines and Paraguay since diplomatic relations were established on December 12, 1962, highlighting the two countries' shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and international cooperation. (Editor: Tian Rui-hua) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.