“The donation of vaccines is also an expression of Poland’s solidarity with the Philippine people, with whom, in spite of the great geographical distance, we share common cultural and religious values based on Christianity,” said Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński at the handover ceremony. The event took place in front of the Philippine embassy, with Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, in attendance.

Poland and the Philippines enjoy long and friendly bilateral relations. The Philippines is Poland’s important and promising partner in Southeast Asia, and a country with which Poland maintains regular political dialogue and develops economic and military cooperation, also despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s growing importance in Polish foreign policy led to the reactivation of the Polish embassy in Manila in 2018.

Until recently, in September this year, the Philippines was fighting the largest COVID-19 wave since the pandemic’s onset. Today, the situation is under control, but vaccination is key to effectively tackling the pandemic. Thanks to international donations, the vaccination programme in the Philippines has considerably picked up speed in recent weeks, but needs still remain very high. Right now about 43% of adult Philippine citizens are fully vaccinated. In response to a call from the Philippines authorities, Poland has decided to donate vaccines. The donation is a manifestation of solidarity with countries in need amid the international fight against COVID-19.

Poland currently has a sufficient number of vaccines to cover its domestic demand and surpluses that it can share with its foreign partners in need. Over the past few months, it has provided COVID-19 vaccines to, among others, Egypt, Vietnam, Taiwan, Kenya, Ukraine, Australia, Norway, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, and Rwanda. Today’s dispatch was possible thanks to the MFA’s cooperation with the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health, and the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves.

 

MFA Press Office

 

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA