PH, Israel Holds In-Person 12th Joint Commission Meeting in Manila
Representatives from the Philippines and Israel pose for a photo before the start of the 12th JCM on 05 September 2022. (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 07 September 2022 – The Philippines and Israel conducted the 12th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in person at Shangri-la The Fort Hotel, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila on 05 September 2022. This year’s JCM, hosted by the Philippines, covered issues such as cooperation in the fields of agriculture, labor, defense and security, public diplomacy, tourism, development and innovation.
Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Alfonso Ver and Deputy Director General Rafael Harpaz led the Philippine and Israel delegations, respectively. They were joined by officials from the DFA Office of the Middle East and African Affairs, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, as well as officials from the Israeli Embassy in Manila and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his welcome remarks, Assistant Secretary Ver thanked the Israeli government for being a “steady and consistent partner”, referring to over 65 years of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. “I am optimistic that our partnership will grow from strength to strength amidst all challenges in the evolving architecture of our region and the world”, said Assistant Secretary Ver.
For his part, Deputy Director General Harpaz fondly recalled his memories being posted in the Philippines as Ambassador of Israel and expressed appreciation for the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos. Describing the Philippines-Israel relations as “very good”, the Deputy Director General expressed how the Philippines enjoy strong bipartisan support in their country and remarked on how they will do what is necessary to expand the relations.
Both sides also took the opportunity to review pending agreements in the areas of tourism, defense and environment, as well as exchange views on international issues such as the Abraham Accords, regional security and the developments in ASEAN.
The meeting ended on a positive and hopeful note, with both sides promising to closely cooperate on issues of mutual concern and lay the groundwork for the 13th JCM which will be hosted by Israel next year.
Representatives from other agencies such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Agriculture (DA), TESDA, and the Department of National Defense were also present at the meeting.
The Joint Commission Meeting is a bilateral mechanism that provides a platform for representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss issues of mutual benefit and concern and to explore ways to advance the bilateral relations further. END
OMEAA Assistant Secretary Alfonso Ver presents a book on tourism called “Bucket List Philippines” to Deputy Director General Rafael Harpaz during the exchange of tokens. (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)
OMEAA Assistant Secretary Alfonso Ver (middle) officially welcomes the Israeli delegation at the start of the 12th JCM, together with Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv Chargee d’Affaires Reichel Quinones (left) and OMEAA Deputy Assistant Secretary Shirlene Mananquil (right). (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)
Deputy Director General Rafael Harpaz delivers his opening remarks. (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)
From left: Ms. Mor Ben Moshe (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam (Israel Embassy in Manila), Ambassador Ilan Fluss (Israel Embassy in Manila), and Deputy Director General Rafael Harpaz (Head of Delegation). (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)
Assistant Secretary Ver and Ambassador Fluss exchange pleasantries during breaktime at the 12th JCM. (DFA-OPCD Photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)