Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier delivered his closing remarks for the 11th Philippines-Spain Forum to a packed audience of leading figures from the diplomatic, economic, academic, and cultural sectors of both countries at the main auditorium of Instituto Cervantes in Madrid, Spain. The Forum was held from 19 to 21 March 2025.
Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier delivers his closing remarks.
With the theme “Celebrating Spanish-Philippines Connection through Commerce and Culture,” the Forum focused on key areas of cooperation between Spain and the Philippines with the highest potential for being economically and sustainably game-changing: (a) negotiations to conclude the Philippine-EU Free Trade Agreement, (b) port-to-port cooperation for sustainability, (c) water resource management, and (d) the role of language education in unlocking all the untapped opportunities and advantages for both our peoples.
The final day of the Forum was held in Cuenca, to celebrate the life and works of world-renowned Filipino-Spanish painter Fernando Zobel – founder of the Museo de Arte Abstracto de Cuenca and an inspiring example of an enduring hermandad or brotherhood between Spain and the Philippines.
(L-R) Jose Herrera, Madrid City Council; Amb. Emilio de Miguel, Casa Asia, Mr. Gonzalo Mac-Crohon, Dario Dolz, Mayor of Cuenca, Usec. Charles Jose, Department of Foreign Affairs, Jose Pintor, Director General of Casa Asia, and Amb. Miguel Utray, Spanish Ambassador to Manila)
In his remarks, Ambassador Lhuillier issued a call to action, stating that “Our discussions must translate into action” and emphasized that “Philippine-Spanish relations are more than just history – it is a mature partnership that continues to gro in significance.”
The Forum brought to Spain various experts and industry leaders from both the government and private sector of the Philippines, including Undersecretary Charles C. Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Assistant Secretary Roderick Planta of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Atty. Elmer Cadano from the Philippine Ports Authority, Mr. Emmanuel de Dios of Manila Water and Gonzalo Mac-Crohon of the Zobel Family. The Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Miguel Utray and Director General Luis Fonseca of the Spanish Foreign Ministry were also present and actively engaged – highlighting the importance that the Spanish government places on this Forum as well.
Most heartening was the message from the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, which indicated that the Spanish business community has finally awakened to the potential of the Philippines as the platform of choice for Spanish companies eager to expand their markets into Southeast Asia, while diversifying their supply chains across geographic regions.
L-R Ro above: Director General Luis Fonseca, Spanish Foreign Ministry; Ambassador Miguel Utray of Spain; Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier of the Philippines; Jose Herrera of the Madrid City Council; Ro belo: Jose Pintor of Casa Asia Madrid; Luis Garcia of Instituto Cervantes, Eunina Mangio of PCCI; and USec. Charles C. Jose of the Department of Foreign AffairsThe Ambassador thanked the Forum’s host – Casa Asia Madrid, and its counterpart organization in the Philippines, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), for their efforts towards elevating Philippine-Spanish relations, which is currently in a period of robust renacimiento or rebirth. His Excellency closed the Forum by expressing his desire that the Philippines be the “fulcrum of Spanish activity in Asia, as we are and always will be your most natural and reliable partner in the Pacific.”
