MANILA, Sept. 27 -- Philippine President Fidel Ramos hailed Wednesday Lithuanian Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius' two-day visit to the Philippines, which resulted in agreements in trade, science and technology. Ramos said the visit enhanced the nations' bilateral relations, bonded by their governments' similar efforts to prosper in a democracy after being subjected to centuries of colonial and dictatorial rule. During Slezevicius' visit, the two countries signed the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement which binds them to give each other a most favored nation treatment in terms of exchange of goods and to increase trade flows through business missions. A Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement was also signed, involving joint scientific researches and exchange of scientists and experts. Slezevicius capped his visit with a tour of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a former U.S. military facility successfully turned into an investment area, which Lithuania views as a possible model for similar efforts to transform its former military bases. Since the U.S. Navy left Subic in November 1992, the freeport zone 50 miles (80 km) north of Manila has so far attracted more than $1.2 billion in foreign investments and has generated more than 23,000 jobs. Manila has been marketing Subic as a gateway to other Asia Pacific countries, boosted by a $100 million investment poured into it by Federal Express to make it the hub of its operations in the region. Lithuania, meanwhile, is seen as a gateway to other Baltic states because of its location. Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
Diplomatic ties with Manila was established in December 1991. Ramos stressed the importance of its trade agreement with Lithuania, saying it sees the northern Asian countries, particularly the former Soviet republics, as potential markets for its export goods such as electronics and garments. In July, Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev also visited Manila and signed a pact to boost trade and business ties.