Philippines and Oman Convene 5th Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting
PASAY CITY, 24 January 2025 - The Philippines and Oman convened the 5th Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila, which coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
The Philippine delegation was led by the Honorable Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, while the Omani delegation was led by His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al Harthy, Omani Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Political Affairs.
This meeting was the fifth in a series of regular consultation meetings held since 2014. In this latest iteration, the meeting reviewed progress in the areas of political cooperation, economic cooperation, and cooperation in various fields as archaeology, science and technology, information and communication technology, and higher education. Tourism, labor and migration, and maritime cooperation were also discussed. The two sides agreed to facilitate the conclusion of several agreements to advance cooperation in priority areas.
Undersecretary Lazaro also expressed appreciation for Oman’s mediation efforts and assistance, under the leadership of His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, to secure the release of the 17 Filipino seafarers on-board MV Galaxy.
The two sides held a candid exchange of views on regional issues of mutual concern, particularly the situation in the Middle East, while Undersecretary Lazaro also gave a briefing on recent developments in the South China Sea.
The Co-Chairs looked forward to the next JBCM to be hosted by Oman at a mutually-agreeable date. END
