Finland, PH Navy eye stronger collab on modernization

Finnish Ambassador to Manila Juha Markus Pykko made this remark during a courtesy call on PN acting flag officer in command, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, at the Navy headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila on October 17. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – Finland is interested in fostering more collaboration with the Philippine Navy (PN) regarding the latter’s ongoing modernization program.

Finnish Ambassador to Manila Juha Markus Pykko made this remark during a courtesy call on PN acting flag officer in command, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, at the Navy headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila on October 17.

“Their talks revolved around the ongoing PN modernization program being one of the conceivable areas of collaboration between the two countries as Ambassador Pyykko echoed that the European Union – Finland being a Member State of the EU – ‘should be a strong global actor, including in the Pacific,'” PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement Wednesday.

Negranza said Valencia welcomed the move as an opportunity to boost the PN transformation journey as Finland is a known global leader and innovator in terms of green technology and tactical training simulation.

“The visiting ambassador thanked the acting Navy chief for the productive call and said to liaise with concerned Finnish companies that can help the PN realize its long-term modernization objectives,” he said.

Negranza said the visit provided an opportunity that has helped bolster the developing bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Finland.