President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening relations with key international partners as he held separate bilateral meetings with leaders from the European Union (EU) and Japan on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur.

In his meeting with European Council President António Costa, Marcos discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the Philippines and the EU, particularly in trade, multilateral engagement, and the promotion of the international rules-based order.

Costa conveyed the EU’s full support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairship of ASEAN in 2026, extending well wishes for the country’s leadership role in the regional bloc.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue and fostering mutual interests through continued collaboration between ASEAN and the EU.

Marcos also met with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, marking their first official engagement.

Marcos congratulated the prime minister on her recent election, while both leaders expressed optimism about the future of Philippines–Japan relations.

The two discussed preparations for the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between their countries, which will be celebrated in 2026. Marcos highlighted the growing defense and security cooperation between Manila and Tokyo, citing the entry into force of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) in September 2025 as a milestone in bilateral relations.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional peace and stability, noting the importance of the Philippines–United States–Japan Trilateral Cooperation as a cornerstone of regional security and development.

The meetings underscored Marcos’ continuing efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ strategic partnerships with ASEAN dialogue partners amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.