The Philippines aims to open a consulate or mission office in Erbil: Ambassador to Iraq

The statement came during a meeting between the Philippine envoy to Iraq and a Kurdistan Region parliamentary official.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/09/20 20:13

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Philippine Ambassador to Iraq, during a meeting with a Kurdistan Region parliamentary official, on Sunday expressed his country's desire to open a consulate in Erbil.

"Deputy Speaker of Kurdistan Region's Parliament Hemin Hawrami on Sunday received the Philippine Ambassador to Iraq Generoso Calonge and his accompanying delegation," the Presidency of Kurdistan Parliament said in a statement.

At @KurdistanParl received the Philippines ambassador in Iraq. Exchanged views on developing relation between our parliaments and enhancing relations in other sectors. pic.twitter.com/A0lN1IGGbd
— Hemin Hawrami (@heminhawrami) September 20, 2020

The statement added that during the meeting, Hawrami stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the Philippines and the Kurdistan Region, as well as ties between Erbil and Baghdad. They also reportedly discussed the ongoing health crisis, confronting the coronavirus, and the economic consequences of the global pandemic.

From his end, the Philippine diplomat expressed his hope that his country and the Kurdistan Region further develop relations.

The Philippine Ambassador also confirmed efforts to open a consulate or representative office for his country's embassy in the Kurdistan Region, to strengthen bilateral relations and handle the affairs of Filipinos living in the Kurdistan Region.

In early 2019, a Philippine envoy to Baghdad told Kurdistan 24 that the government in Manila would facilitate the visa application process for applicants in the Kurdistan Region by opening a special facility or visa center in Erbil, allowing for individuals to apply without having to visit the embassy in Baghdad.

The official's comment came during an Erbil visit, which aimed "to open opportunities for trade, investment, and partnerships in tourism… This is the first step in a series of steps, where we expose the Philippines’ market to Kurdish travelers."

Editing by Khrush Najari