15 May 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. called on Mr. Xoan Noya,  Vice Minister for  Asia,   Middle East and Oceania Affairs of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry on May 08. The Ambassador was accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul General to Caracas Andres Duarte and Administrative Officer Bernardo Bagalay. Vice Minister Noya was joined by Caridad Lavin Perez, the Foreign Ministry’s Analyst for Asia.  The meeting was held at the Casa Amarilla Antonio Jose de Sucre located in the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.

Ambassador Dilem and Vice Minister Noya agreed to utilize the bilateral agreements entered into by the Philippines and Venezuela to further strengthen bilateral relations between their countries. The Vice Minister hoped that the trade relations between both countries will increase and articulated his country’s interest in the Philippines’ food production industry.   The Ambassador provided the Vice Minister with information on  international food fairs organized by the Philippine Government, specifically the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) held annually in Manila.

Vice Minister Moya expressed his admiration for the organizational and multilateral unity of ASEAN and its member countries as he witnessed firsthand the operations of the ASEAN Secretariat during his visit to Indonesia in April 2015. For his part, Ambassador Dilem informed the Vice Minister that relations between ASEAN member countries  will further be fortified due to the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area which will contribute to the continued growth of the economies of ASEAN countries.

The meeting ended with Ambassador Dilem expressing his appreciation for the hospitality and cordial treatment extended to the approximately 200 Filipinos residing in Venezuela. The Vice Minister likewise expressed his gratitude for the assistance being extended by the Philippine Government to the members of the Venezuelan Embassy in the Philippines. END