MANILA, (PIA) -- Kicking off his inaugural visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received a warm welcome from the Filipino Community of Belgium, Luxembourg and other European countries as he addressed them in a gathering at Brussels, Belgium on Monday night, Dec. 12 (Brussels time), according to a report by Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).

Pres. Marcos is accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, some Cabinet members and lawmakers during the warm meet and greet.

The President said he will have a royal audience with King Philippe and he intends to convey to him that the Philippines is looking to pursue a strategic partnership with Belgium and sign a joint plan of action for 2023 until 2027.

More than 900 Filipinos from different parts of Europe are in attendance during the Filipino Community meeting with the Chief Executive.

Meanwhile, according to Charge d’Affaires Pablito Mendoza of the Philippine Embassy in Belgium, the European country serves as a second home to 6,000 Filipinos who mostly work in the household and healthcare industry.

The President is in Belgium to attend the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit. (PIA-NCR)