Former Philippine Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr. Meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

12 February 2018 TEHRAN – Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. met with the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on 04 February.

The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed Iran’s appreciation for the Philippines’ interest in Iran’s energy sector and Speaker de Venecia’s ongoing initiatives to promote peace and regional dialogue in the Middle East especially by bridging the gap between Shias and Sunnis, i.e. between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The former Speaker was accompanied during the call on the Iranian Foreign Minister by Mr. Chen Youhao, Chairman of a big Chinese corporation whose business interests in Iran include the establishment of at least two energy facilities in Queshm island south of Iran. Long-term targets of his company include building a petrochemical facility in Pangasinan province to process Iranian crude and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for distribution to Asia and the Philippines. Also accompanying the former Speaker was Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran H.E. Wilfredo C. Santos, together with the Philippine Embassy in Tehran’s officers. END

For more information, visit www.tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph.