MUSCAT 01 April 2022 – The Philippine delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, participated in the 4th Philippines-Oman Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting (JBCM), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the Sultanate of Oman on 30 March 2022 in Muscat, Oman.

The Omani delegation was headed by His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the Omani Foreign Ministry.

Undersecretary Lazaro and Undersecretary Al Harthy reviewed the progress of bilateral relations in the areas of political cooperation, economic cooperation, maritime cooperation, trade and investments, culture, and labor, among others. They also discussed opportunities and ways to enhance and expand partnerships. The two Undersecretaries likewise had a healthy exchange of views on domestic developments, and regional and international issues.

The JBCM is a formal mechanism to provide a regular venue for the Philippines and Oman to expand bilateral cooperation in political, economic, technological, scientific, cultural, labor, trade and education matters. Since its establishment in 2014 (1st JBCM in Manila), hosting of the meeting has been on an alternate basis in 2016 (2nd JBCM in Muscat) and 2019 (3rd JBCM in Manila).

OMEAA Assistant Secretary Alfonso A. Ver and Acting Director Alex O. Vallespin, together with Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong and Vice Consul Jacqueline Joan S. Arquiza of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat also joined the Philippine delegation.

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs