PH Holds Bilateral Consultations with Uzbekistan
Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn Quintana with Director General Abror Fatkhullaev of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
06 December 2017 TASHKENT – Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn M. Quintana of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) led the Philippine delegation to the Bilateral Consultations with the Republic of Uzbekistan on November 19 to 24. She was accompanied during her visit by Philippine Ambassador to Iran Wilfredo C. Santos, who is the non-resident Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Consul General Alfredo Borlongan and Dubai-based Agricultural Attach Gil Herico.
Meetings were held at the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Philippine delegation also met with members of the Filipino community in Uzbekistan.
The two countries discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas, particularly in the fields of agriculture, tourism and culture. Assistant Secretary Quintana discussed the great potential for the export of Philippine tropical fruits to Uzbekistan like bananas, mangoes, pineapples, coconut oil, and other agricultural products. Pending bilateral agreements on air services and labor were likewise discussed during the visit.
Uzbekistan, on the other hand, invited Philippine artists and performers to their annual arts festival in Samarkand and encouraged greater contacts and cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.
The visit to Uzbekistan by Assistant Secretary Quintana marked the first high level visit between the two countries since the 1st PH-Uzbek Bilateral Consultations was held in Tashkent on 2-4 March 2011.The Philippines and Uzbekistan are celebrating this year the 25th Anniversary of diplomatic relations which were established on 13 April 2017. END
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Meeting with Deputy Minister Sakhib Saifnazarov at the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Philippine delegation with First Deputy Minister Erkin Mukhitdinov of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan