BELGIAN RECEIVES PHILIPPINE ENVOY, FONDLY RECALLS 1996 VISIT TO PH

His Majesty (H.M.) King Philippe of received a Philippine Ambassador for the first time when H.E. Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega presented his credentials in a stately ceremony at the Royal of on 23 May 2018.

King Philippe, 58, ascended to the Belgian throne last 21 July 2013, upon the abdication of his father, King Albert II. His official title as the Belgian monarch is His Majesty, the King of the Belgians.

In a private audience conducted in English and French following the presentation of credentials, the King fondly recalled his visit to the Philippines in 1996. The King, who was Prince at that time, led a 100-strong Belgian Economic Mission and oversaw the signing of two key agreements. He recounted fond memories of his visit, and was pleased to note that Belgian companies remain active in the Philippines and have contributed to the economic development of the country.

The King also asked about the situation in Marawi, and gave his thoughts for the people of Marawi as they rebuild and recover from the conflict.

Highlighting the historical connections between the Philippines and Belgium, Ambassador de Vega wore the sash of a Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR) of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. The Belgian Monarch and the Philippine envoy also honored the accomplishments of Philippine national hero José Rizal in Belgium, which included the publication of his novel El Filibusterismo in the Belgian city of Ghent in 1891, the same year that Belgian engineers completed construction of the San Sebastian Church in Manila.

Ambassador de Vega is a career diplomat who has been in government for over 25 years, and has served in Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Tel Aviv, Washington D.C., New York, and Barcelona. His most recent posting prior to his arrival in Belgium was as Philippine Ambassador to Mexico. As the new Ambassador based in Brussels, he will also present his credentials to the Grand Duchy of and to the . L1W-26w51-lLe

1. Division Yves Dupont, Aide-de-camp to HM The King (left), visits H.E. Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega (right) at the Philippine Embassy Chancery prior to the ceremony

2. The Ambassador, accompanied by officers of Brussels PE/PM, is led by members of H.M. The King's military household through the (Photo courtesy of the Royal Palace)

3. H.E. Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega (left) presents his credentials to H.M. Philippe, King of the Belgians (right). Photo courtesy of the Royal Palace