20 December 2024. As the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Copenhagen (ACC), the Philippines hosted an ASEAN fellowship day, attended by the Heads of Mission of Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, key officials of their respective Embassies, and their family members. The event was held at the Indonesian Embassy grounds in Hellerup (in the suburbs of Copenhagen), for adequate space and convenience to the attendees, whose chanceries are located in the same area.

During the event, Amb. Leo M. Herrera-Lim briefed Amb. Dewi Savitri Wahab (Indonesia), Amb. Thanh Nghi Luong (Vietnam), and CDA Puwit Wisartsakul (Thailand) about the successful visit to the Philippines of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on 09-10 December. He underscored how the high-level visit fostered closer bilateral ties between the Philippines and Denmark, and that on the occasion, several agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Further, FM Rasmussen’s visit demonstrated Denmark’s recognition of the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions as key players in the world economy and geopolitical security. Post notes that following his visit to the Philippines, FM Rasmussen graced the official opening of the Danish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Amb. Herrera-Lim also took the opportunity to extend the Philippine Embassy’s gratitude to its ASEAN counterparts for their cooperation and support for Post’s initiatives throughout its Chairmanship this year, which have created heightened awareness of ASEAN to the host government and other important stakeholders in Denmark. He also conveyed that the Philippines looks forward to collaborating with ASEAN on matters of mutual concern in the coming year.

Dishes from the four ASEAN countries were served, such as chicken adobo, tofu sisig, pad thai, green papaya salad, beef rendang, chicken satay, fresh spring rolls, and banh bao, which were prepared by CateChing, a Filipino caterer based in Copenhagen.

ASEAN colleagues expressed their appreciation to the Philippines and Indonesia for hosting the event. They were also grateful for the Philippine Embassy’s efforts in preparing their respective local dishes, to cap off the productive year. END.