The Cook Islands and Republic of the Philippines have formally established diplomatic relations through the signing of a joint communique document.
The Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Tiki Matapo, and the Philippines ambassador, Virginia Benavidez, signed on behalf of their respective governments in Wellington this week.
The Cook Islands and Philippines already maintain friendly relations and support one another in many common issues, including maritime safety and climate change.
The Cook Islands News says the formal establishment of diplomatic ties further cements this friendship.
A number of Filipino citizens live and work in the Cook Islands, mostly in Rarotonga.
