Cayetano looks forward to stronger Philippine-Qatar ties

August 15, 2018

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano expressed hope for stronger bilateral ties between the Philippines and Qatar during the courtesy call Wednesday of visiting Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

“Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and I had a fruitful discussion on advancing Philippine-Qatar relations, covering all our foreign policy goals and addressing the needs of our nationals in Qatar,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“We look forward to the state visit of the Emir of Qatar Shiek Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani later this year, where he will surely be warmly welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.

During their meeting, the two ministers discussed the proposed convening of the Joint Committee Meeting on labor matters; investment opportunities; regional issues in the Gulf; and other ways to further enhance bilateral relations in the regional and multilateral sphere.

Cayetano conveyed the gratitude of the Philippines for the royal pardon granted to 25 Filipino detainees on the occasion of Eid’l Fitr.

Present during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Hjayceelyn Quintana, Ambassador to Qatar Alan Timbayan and Qatari Ambassador to Manila Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is in the country for a two-day official visit, was to meet President Duterte in Malacañang later Wednesday.

In 2017, Qatar is the Philippines’ sixth export market and fourth import market in the Middle East. It is home to around 255,000 Filipinos, most of whom are working in the nursing and services sector. DMS