President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed gratitude to Poland for supporting the vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

During his meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos stressed the importance of Poland’s support for the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to make the region “free and open, interconnected, prosperous, resilient, and secure”.

“So, the importance you have given to the Indo-Pacific is a significant symbol, message to the rest of the world on how we stand together. So, we thank you for that,” Marcos told Sikorski.

The Indo-Pacific region is the fastest-growing economic region in the world, accounting for 60 percent of the world economy and two-thirds of global economic growth.

It is also projected to be the largest contributor to global growth over the next 30 years.

In May this year, Marcos said the Philippines is a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, as he touted the country’s economic strengths.

Marcos thanked Sikorski for finding time to visit the Philippines, despite the current situation in Europe, particularly the geopolitical developments in the region.

Sikorski said it is an honor to meet with Marcos, and praised the Philippine leader for his “very successful diplomacy” and “security efforts.”

“As we are very impressed by a number of defense cooperation agreements with the Philippines – and I’m very pleased with the conversations that we have to prioritize,” Sikorski told President Marcos.

Sikorski first visited the Philippines in 2006 when he served as Poland’s minister for national defense.

His second visit to the country coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Poland.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Poland were formally established on Sept. 22, 1973.

In a joint press conference on Wednesday, Sikorski and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo discussed their interest to strengthen the two nations’ dialogues on global security and fight against unconventional threats, including on cyberspace.

Poland has been supplying the Philippines with Black Hawk helicopters.

It also served as the country’s 9th top trading partner among the European Union countries in 2023.

Poland is second home to almost 3,000 Filipinos. (PNA)