Ambassador Buensuceso Presents Credentials to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; meets with Business Leaders and Filipino Community in Copenhagen
Philippine Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso presented her credentials on 16 October, 2009, to Her Majesty, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at the historic Fredensborg Castle in Copenhagen. She was welcomed at the Royal Waiting Room of the Fredensbord Railway Station by Baron Iuel-Brockdorff, Master of the Royal Hunt and from there was taken to the Queen’s palace by a state coach accompanied by the royal cavalry .Together with the Lord Chamberlain, she reviewed the Royal Guards and the Hussars Regiment after which she was granted an audience by Her Majesty. The Ambassador discussed with the Queen the burgeoning economic relations between their two countries. Queen Margrethe II expressed her sympathies for the victims of the twin typhoons and sent her best wishes to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
While in Copenhagen, Ambassador Buensuceso met with business leaders, government officials, and the officers and members of the Filipino community in Denmark to discuss issues of interest to the Philippines. Among many other issues of bilateral concern, the matter on au pairs going to Denmark was given top priority by the Ambassador who suggested ways on how to resolve the current impasse between the two governments on this problem. The Ministry of Refugees, Immigration and Integration pledged to study her proposal and reply to her proposal.
Among the many business leaders the Ambassador met were those from the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group of Companies, one of the biggest, most respected names in the world in the area of container shipping and logistics, energy exploration and production, ship-building, retail and manufacturing. She briefed them about current improvements in the investment climate and encouraged them to expand their investments in the country, particularly in the area of BPO, maritime training centers and asked them to continue hiring Filipino seafarers, especially at the officer level. In response, Director for Recruitment Leif Nielsen told her that their company is extremely satisfied with the proficiency and skill and discipline of Filipino seafarers. Despite the global economic crisis, crewing of Filipino seamen has not slackened. They also plan to relocate their logistical operations in Singapore in 2010, making it easier for our workers to find employment. Next year, they intend to relocate in Manila their training centers for their worldwide logistics requirements.
The presentation was followed by a vin d’honneur attended by more than 200 guests consisting of members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders and travel/tour operators and leaders of the Filipino community in Denmark.
With only two of the Embassy’s consular staff, Ms. Annie Caraig and Ms. Rita Tan, who were working from 0800 to 2230H for three days, , the embassy team conducted a consular outreach at the St Anne’s church in Copenhagen during which they were able to issue 437 passports , 38 reports of marriage and births and answered various queries from their nationals residing in Denmark.
On Saturday and Sunday, 17 and 18 October, respectively, the Ambassador met with leaders of various Filipino organizations in Denmark to listen to their problems and suggestions and to plan future projects of the community. The leaders updated her on the various relief efforts being undertaken by their groups to help the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.
Norwegian Pinoys did not vote for any particular political party at the recently concluded parliamentary elections that determined the leadership of Norway for the next five years.
Pinoys belonging to Christian churches mostly voted for the Christian Democrats, which unfortunately lost one seat from their previous position.
The KrF is pro-family and has vowed to fight legislation on same-sex marriage, abortion and other issues contrary to Christian doctrine. Others who were worried about the effects of the economic crisis voted for the Labor Party (Ap) which showed exemplary leadership in handling the crisis.
Others voted for parties without really looking at the issues closely. They have traditionally been voting along these lines.
The previous government composed of the Labor Party, the Center Party ( Sp) and the Socialist Left ( SV) was re-elected for another term of five
The final tally of seats is as follows:
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was brought back as head of government. He has announced on—- a complete list of his new cabinet . Some changes in the government have been introduced, notably the creation of the new Ministry of—- and the transfer of the responsibility for—- from the Ministry of Labour to the Ministry of Education.
