15 March 2013 - The Philippines and South Sudan signed on March 13 a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between them in simple ceremonies held at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Philippines officially recognized South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state soon after South Sudan declared its independence on 9 July 2011.
Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. signed the Joint Communiqué on behalf of the Philippine Government while South Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Majok Guandong Thiep signed it on behalf of the South Sudanese Government.
In his statement, Ambassador Lucenario remarked, “The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Sudan is significant in many ways. It will mutually benefit our respective countries and peoples because we would now be able to intensify relations in various common areas of cooperation.”
“There are more than 300 Filipinos working in South Sudan and the Philippines and the Filipino people would like to contribute more in the coming months and years in the development and reconstruction of South Sudan. The Philippines also looks forward to strengthening economic relations with South Sudan. In the international arena, we look forward to working closely with South Sudan on various global issues,” he added.
The two Ambassadors also discussed the need to establish a Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation to identify various areas of cooperation to benefit the peoples of the Philippines and South Sudan. END
