Iran, Philippines discuss promotion of ties

Iran and the Philippines have explored ways of further developing mutual cooperation.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Qashqavi met Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario on the sidelines of the 5th Philippines-Iran Joint Consular Consultation Meeting in Manila on Thursday where they exchanged views on promotion of reciprocal ties.

In the meeting, Qashqavi underlined the need for mutual visits by officials of both countries, and conveyed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s greetings to his Philippine counterpart Albert del Rosario and invited him to visit Tehran.

Rosario, for his part, said that Iran-Philippines relations were growing as the two countries mark the 50th year of the establishment of diplomatic ties and welcomed the invitation to visit Iran.
Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Manila Ali Asghar Mohammadi said that Iran and Manila signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on consular cooperation on the sidelines of the 5th Philippines-Iran Joint Consular Consultation Meeting.

He said that Tehran and Manila seek to boost bilateral ties, adding the two sides are in talks to sign several agreements on further mutual cooperation.

The 5th Philippines-Iran Joint Consular Consultation Meeting was held in Manila from January 29-30 in a bid to promote closer cooperation and to strengthen bilateral ties through discussions on consular access, immigration-related issues, and passport and visa matters.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and the Philippines were established in 1974.