TBILISI 07 March 2024 – H.E. Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Georgia met with Ambassador H.E. Alexander Nalbandov, Director of the Department of Asia and Pacific at the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on 08 March 2025 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Georgia, Henry S. Bensurto Jr., with H.E. Alexander Nalbandov, Director of the Department of Asia and Pacific at the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) (Photo courtesy of Embassy)
Ambassador Nalbandov expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ constant support for upholding the integrity of Georgia’s internationally recognized borders and the safe and dignified return of roughly 300,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP). Ambassador Bensurto shared that the rule of law remains to be a core principle of the Philippines, as it is among the best protections that small countries have at their disposal.
Ambassador Bensurto wants to develop a framework that could improve PH-GE relations and strengthen people-to-people relations, generate greater cultural understanding, and increase the number of visits from each other’s country. These include several initiatives including reigniting inter-parliamentary cooperation, negotiating concluding air service agreements and visa-waiver agreements for diplomatic and official passport holders, participation in the Ambassadors’ Tour, basketball diplomacy, as well as greater engagement of Georgia with ASEAN during the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026.
Ambassador Nalbandov welcomed the initiatives and looks forward to arranging and hosting high-level visits from the Philippines to Georgia, and vice versa. Both Ambassadors also discussed ongoing geopolitical developments at the regional level and as well as enhanced cooperation at the multilateral platforms.
In attendance were Mr. Aleksandre Kekelia, Counsellor of the Division of Central and East Asian Countries of the Asia-Pacific Department, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Mr. Emile Josef Garcia from the Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara,Türkiye.
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. is the 11th Ambassador of the Philippines to Georgia, with residence in Ankara, Türkiye. The Philippines and Georgia have 32 years of diplomatic relations with ties being officially established on 21 September 1992. END.
