01 February 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Rafael E. Seguis met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular, Parliament, and Iranian Affairs for the 5th Philippines-Iran Joint Consular Consultation Meeting (JCCM) on January 30.
The Philippine and Iranian delegations agreed to strengthen consular notification, provide assistance to nationals in distress, increase people-to-people exchange, clarify visa and immigration matters, and follow up pending agreements.
The Philippine delegation specifically requested a mechanism which will allow Filipinos in Iran who are detained or arrested to be able to contact the Philippine Embassy as soon as possible and which will help the Embassy provide them prompt assistance.
The meeting kicked off activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iran, which were founded on 22 January 1964.
Approximately 3,800 Filipinos currently live in Iran, excluding some 2,000 workers in Kish Island. END
