THE Philippines raised the importance of promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and Asia as well as confidencebuilding with key partners in these regions.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo echoed the Philippines’ call for peace in these regions during his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen.

Manalo and Cohen, who arrived in Manila on June 4, held a bilateral meeting to discuss priority areas of cooperation.

Manalo highlighted the need to expand cooperation in defense and security, tourism, trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Cohen’s visit was the “first made by an Israeli Foreign Minister since 1967.” Cohen also paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“The relationship between the Philippines and Israel is a unique and enduring one, characterized by friendship, goodwill and strong people-to-people ties which predated the founding of the Israeli state,” Manalo said in a statement.

He said these ties “have deep roots,” going back to the time when then President Manuel L. Quezon, through his “Open Door Policy,” provided safe haven for about 1,300 Jewish refugees who fled the Nazi regime.

Israel and the Philippines are celebrating their 65th anniversary of friendly relations this year.

“The visit of Israel’s Foreign Minister to the Philippines reassures that Israel is a friend and an ally of the Philippines, and we see the relations flourishing further in the years to come,” Israeli Ambassador to Manila Ilan Fluss said.

Manalo and Cohen signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of environmental protection after the conclusion of the bilateral meeting.

The agreement will provide opportunities for Israel and the Philippines to share best practices in addressing common challenges related to the environment, preservation of ecosystems, disaster risk management, and promotion and dissemination of environmental technologies.

The Israeli Embassy in Manila said Cohen’s two-day visit “is expected to boost the historically friendly relations between Israel and the Philippines.”