26 October 2015 – After serving two and a half years, Iraqi Ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly made his farewell call on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario on October 23. During his call, Ambassador Al-Kamaly expressed his deep gratitude for the support the Department of Foreign Affairs accorded to him and the Iraqi Embassy throughout his tenure.  Ambassador Al-Kamaly said that he would equally support the Philippine Embassy in Iraq headed by Charge d’Affaires e.p. Elmer Cato once he assumes his post in the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Secretary Del Rosario thanked Ambassador Al-Kamaly for his contributions in maintaining good relations between the Philippines and Iraq. In particular, Secretary Del Rosario thanked him for his role in facilitating Iraq’s aid and assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013; support for the peace process in Mindanao; and enhancing people-to-people relations during his visits to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2014.

Secretary Del Rosario conveyed the Philippines’ support for the reconstruction efforts of the Iraqi government.  He mentioned that a Filipino-owned company has already established its footprints in Iraq by investing in the management and operation of Umm Qasr port in Basra.  Secretary Del Rosario also appealed to Ambassador Al-Kamaly for the Iraqi government to continue to protect the rights and promote the welfare of some 1,500 overseas Filipinos in Iraq.

The Philippines and Iraq are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations this year. END