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Envoys highlight FVR hand in building PH foreign relations

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

August 1, 2022, 3:15 pm

<p><strong>HAPPY DAYS.</strong> Former president Fidel V. Ramos (left) with former French president François Mitterrand during the former's visit to Paris on Sept. 13, 1994. Ramos was an awardee of the prestigious French Legion of Honor, the Grand Cross. <em>(Photo courtesy of the French Embassy to the Philippines and Micronesia)</em></p>

HAPPY DAYS. Former president Fidel V. Ramos (left) with former French president François Mitterrand during the former's visit to Paris on Sept. 13, 1994. Ramos was an awardee of the prestigious French Legion of Honor, the Grand Cross. (Photo courtesy of the French Embassy to the Philippines and Micronesia)

MANILA – Foreign envoys in the Philippines are mourning the passing of former president Fidel V. Ramos and highlighted his efforts in establishing strong international relations during his time in office.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Ramos was well known in China for his "friendship” and contribution to the bilateral relations between the two countries.

“He was one of the first to propose the establishment of 'Asian Forum' in 1998 which incubated the Boao Forum for Asia in 2001,” Huang said.

As former Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, he said Ramos played an “indispensable role” in its development.

“The Chinese Embassy is deeply grieved by the loss of an old friend. He will be missed by all of us,” he said.

Over Twitter, the Embassy of France in the Philippines and Micronesia highlighted Ramos’ efforts between France and the Philippines.

“President Ramos was an awardee of the prestigious French Legion of Honor, the Grand Cross,” the embassy said.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said Ramos’ “strong leadership and great contribution” to the Philippines-Japan relations “will never be forgotten.”

“Saddened by the loss of a good old friend. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I extend sincere condolences to the people of the Philippines and the family and friends of former President Fidel V. Ramos,” Koshikawa said.

The Embassy of Israel extended its condolences to the family of Ramos and took note of his time as the 12th president of the Philippines.

On the other hand, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter MacArthur posted a photo of Ramos during his visit to Canada in November 1997 and took note of his “strong leadership and warm friendship.”

“The Embassy of Canada conveys its deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines and to the family and friends of former President Fidel V. Ramos on his passing today,” MacArthur said.

On Sunday, Ramos passed on at the age of 94.

He was the president from 1992 to 1998, preceding former president Corazon Aquino and succeeded by former president Joseph Estrada. (PNA) 

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