PH, Qatar Convene First Joint Consultation Meeting in Doha

 DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and the members of the Philippine Delegation with Secretary General of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed Hassen Al Hammadi and the Qatari Delegation.

DOHA 25 August 2022 – The Philippine delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, participated in the first Philippines-Qatar Joint Consultation Meeting (JCM) on Political Consultations, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the State of Qatar on 23 August 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

The Qatari delegation was headed by the Secretary-General of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Hassen Al Hammadi.

Undersecretary Lazaro and Secretary-General Al Hammadi reviewed the progress of the two countries’ bilateral relations, including cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism, education, sports, trade, investment, and the economy. They also discussed opportunities and ways to enhance and expand partnerships, as well as exchange views on climate change mitigation and regional and international issues.

The JCM serves as the primary dialogue mechanism with Qatar at the Vice-Ministerial level, where both sides are given the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest. It was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Political Consultations on Issues of Common Interest in December 2019. The 2nd PH-QA JCM will be held in Manila next year.

OMEAA Assistant Secretary Alfonso A. Ver and Acting Director Alex O. Vallespin, together with Charges d’Affaires a.i. Ms. Cassandra B. Sawadjaan and Mr. Benjamin A. Celedio, Vice Consul, of Doha PE, as well as Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Dubai also joined the Philippine delegation. END

Honorable Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Hassen Al Hammadi, discussing Philippines-Qatar relations during the inaugural Joint Consultation Meeting on Political Consultations.