19 April 2016 – The Philippines hosted a high-level contingent of Indonesian officials at the Marco Polo Hotel for the 1st Philippines-Indonesia Consular Consultation Meeting which provides an avenue for both countries to explore and facilitate dialogue and meaningful discussion on various consular topics of interest and related issues.
Consequent to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s January 2016 signing of the Instrument of Ratification related to the Agreement on Consular Notification and Assistance (ACNA) concluded between Indonesia and the Philippines, the Philippine hosting follows the Preparatory Consular Consultations held in Bali, Indonesia on November 25, 2014.
Discussed during the meeting were important matters of interest which touched on a wide range of issues from consular access to detained foreign nationals, citizenship of residents in border areas, visa concerns for Embassy officials and household members, notification process for confiscated vessels, immunities and privileges, and procedures/documentary requirements for death notification, among others.
The Philippines took the opportunity to emphasize timeliness in consular notification for detained nationals from each side, including in particular, seized vessels and its crew, to allow assistance to be extended expeditiously to affected nationals.
Atty. Frank R. Cimafranca, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) led the Philippine delegation, together with ranking officials from various government agencies and the Consuls General of the Philippines in Jakarta and Manado. Director for Consular Affairs Mr. Tri Tharyat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed the Indonesian representation. END