PH, Armenia Hold Discussions on Deepening Ties
Officials from the Philippine Embassy in Moscow, which is accredited to Armenia, and from the Armenian Foreign Ministry met on 20 December 2019 in Yerevan to discuss the further strengthening of relations between the Philippines and Armenia. Clockwise from left: from the Philippine Embassy are Head of the Political Section and Vice-Consul Anna Guerra, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta, Head of the Economic and Cultural Sections and Vice-Consul Grace Perpetua; from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia are Head of South-East Asia and Oceania Division Karen Gevorgyan, and Head of the Asia Pacific Department and Ambassador Areg Hovhannissian. (Photo by A. Sunga)
YEREVAN 16 January 2020 — A delegation from the Philippine Embassy in Moscow and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia met on 20 December 2019 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia in Yerevan to discuss ways to further deepen ties between the Philippines and Armenia.
The Philippine Embassy in Moscow is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis.
The Philippine Embassy Delegation was headed by Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta and composed of Philippine Embassy Head of the Economic and Cultural Sections and Vice-Consul Grace Perpetua, Head of the Political Section and Vice-Consul Anna Guerra, and Attaché Alec Sunga. Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia were Asia Pacific Department Head Ambassador Areg Hovhannissian, and South-East Asia and Oceania Division Head Karen Gevorgyan.
At the meeting, Ambassador Sorreta discussed the current Philippine policy of expanding relations beyond traditional partners, saying “for my country to sustain its continued growth, we must look beyond traditional partners and deepen ties with non-traditional partners and explore opportunities previously overlooked.” For his part, Ambassador Hovhannissian welcomed Philippine interest in deeper relations with Armenia and said that his country is also looking to strengthen relations with East Asian countries, particular Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries.
Among the issues discussed were the negotiation and conclusion of agreements that would facilitate the cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, culture, education, science, sports, air transportation and people-to-people ties. They also discussed the importance of convening regular political consultations and visits by high-level officials.
The two sides also talked about the increasing numbers of Filipinos working in Armenia and the growth in Filipino tourist arrivals. They agreed that it is time to begin discussions on a bilateral labor agreement to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino workers and to prevent illegal recruitment.
Both sides agreed that Filipinos are contributing to the growth of the Armenian hospitality industry not only as workers but also as entrepreneurs who have set up businesses to cater to the robust Armenian tourism industry.
Ambassador Sorreta also expressed the hope that more Armenians would visit the Philippines as tourists and said that a visa waiver mechanism for Armenians could encourage more Armenians to visit.
Also discussed at the meeting were developments relating to discussions between the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Armenia is a member, and the ASEAN on regional economic cooperation.
The two sides also shared their views on regional and global developments, as well as their countries’ diaspora experience. They also discussed cooperation between the Philippines and Armenia on United Nations matters. END
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (left) gives Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Asia Pacific Department Head of the Ambassador Areg Hovhannissian (right) a bottle of Philippine-made Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, part of the Craft Spirits line of Destileria Limtuaco, after their talks on 20 December 2019. (Photo by A. Sunga)
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia