Luxembourg Deputy PM Xavier Bettel Concludes Productive Visit to Philippines

Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Economic Cooperation

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Xavier Bettel, concluded a significant three-day working visit to Manila, Philippines, from February 17 to 19, 2026. The visit aimed to bolster bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investments, and technology.

During his visit, Bettel met with his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, and also held discussions with Secretary of Trade and Industry Cristina Roque, as well as representatives from the economic and defense sectors.

Key Agreements and Areas of Partnership

A central outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bilateral Consultations between Luxembourg and the Philippines. This agreement is designed to facilitate regular political dialogues and foster stronger economic relations.

Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in several key areas:

• Trade and Investments
• Financial Cooperation
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Space Science and Technology
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Creative Industries
• Labor Mobility

The two nations are also working towards finalizing an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, and Bettel expressed hope for the swift conclusion of the Philippine-European Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks.

Regional and Global Issues on the Agenda

Beyond bilateral matters, the officials addressed regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern. These included the Philippines' upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026 and its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term, a bid which Luxembourg openly supports.

Both Deputy Prime Minister Bettel and Secretary Lazaro underscored their shared commitment to multilateralism and the importance of the rule of law. Bettel emphasized that the rule of law serves as the 'best protection' for small countries, a sentiment particularly relevant in discussions concerning the West Philippine Sea.

Celebrating Diplomatic Milestones

The visit coincided with a significant milestone for both nations, as the Philippines and Luxembourg mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Bettel also participated in an event highlighting Luxembourg's support for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) trust fund dedicated to inclusive finance, further demonstrating the Grand Duchy's commitment to international development initiatives.