2nd Political Consultations Commission between UAE, Philippines kicks off.

The 2nd Political Consultation Commission between UAE and Philippines was launched at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE side was headed by Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Jarman, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Human Rights and International Law, while Enrique A. Manalo, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, presided over the Philippines' delegation.

The UAE Ambassador to the Philippines, Hamad Saeed Al Zaabi, attended the meeting. During the meeting, the committee reviewed a number of issues of mutual interest and tackled ways to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations in the best interest of the two sides.

The two sides also emphasised their continued role in supporting all efforts and peaceful endeavours to promote cooperation and understanding, while stressing the importance of dialogue in promoting justice, peace, security and regional and international stability.

Al Jarman hailed the UAE-Philippines ties and underlined the keenness and desire of the UAE to develop relations which mirror the aspirations and approaches of the two countries' leaderships. The two sides also lauded the existing partnership and deemed it a new stage of bilateral relations that is witnessing significant development at all levels.

Regarding the economic field, the Philippines side drew attention to its country's desire to boost bilateral relations and open up new fields of cooperation that supports the joint economic growth system. The delegation also commended the UAE's overall renaissance in all political, economic, cultural, and social sectors which positioned the country as an economic and trade hub and a destination for global and international companies as well as a pioneering centre in the infrastructure, alternative energy sources and sustainable development.

He said that the Philippines is keen to develop joint cooperation frameworks with the UAE under the competitive advantages that will pave the way for the establishment of qualitative partnerships in the coming stage.

Al Jarman also called on the importance of benefitting from the competitive potential and the distinguished growth achieved in the economies of the two countries. He also hailed Philippines' side for its participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai, which the two sides share the goals and aspirations embodied in the main theme of the event, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Regarding the international cooperation, Al Jarman stressed the importance of continuous coordination and consultation between the two countries on issues of mutual concern in various regional and international events, especially coordination at the level of the UN and its specialised agencies level, as it constitutes the pillar of effective multilateral cooperation.

The Philippines delegation praised the UAE's humanitarian role at the international arena and the country's effective contributions to alleviate current humanitarian crises, particularly its humanitarian and development projects in the Philippines through the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC.

Officials from the two sides emphasised the importance of promoting cooperation in terms of bilateral and multilateral relations and upgrading them so as to contribute to serving the interests of the two friendly peoples.

On the sidelines of the meeting , the two sides signed two Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, in the sports and education and vocational education fields.

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