The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday welcomed the nomination of Harry Thomas Jr. as the new US Ambassador to the Philippines.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes the announcement of the White House regarding the nomination of Harry K. Thomas Jr. as Ambassador of the United States of America to the Philippines,” the DFA said in a statement on Monday.

“The department looks forward to working closely with Mr. Thomas in further strengthening the friendly and robust relations between the United States and the Philippines, as soon as he has been confirmed by the US Congress and has presented his letters of credence to the President of the Philippines,” it added.

Thomas was nominated by US President Barack Obama on Nov. 19 as the new US Ambassador to the Philippines, replacing current Ambassador Kristie Kenney, who has served in the country for three and a half years.

The DFA meanwhile lauded outgoing US Ambassador Kristie Kenney for her efforts in strengthening the bilateral relations between US and the Philippines.

“Ambassador Kristie Kenney, who has served in the Philippines since March 2006, has done an outstanding job representing her country and in bringing RP-US bilateral relations to a new level,” the DFA said. (Madel R. Sabater)