Press Release No.019-03
14 January 2003

OPLE EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN GREATER PHILIPPINES-IRAN COLLABORATION

Tehran. -- Foreign Secretary Bias F. Ople, leader of the Philippine delegation to the Third Joint Commission Meeting between the Philippines and the Islamic Republic of Iran, appeared on Iranian television and expressed optimism for greater bilateral collaboration.

"I foresee an expanded and more active cooperation between the Philippines and Iran in the fields of political interaction trade and investment, social development, and cultural dialogue”, he said, after formally opening the Joint Commission Meeting, together with the head of the Iranian delegation Iranian Commerce Ministry Mohammad Shariatrmadari.

Responding to the Iranian Minister's opening statement describing greater liberalization in his country's economic policy, particularly in trade and  investments, banking and financial institutions, public finance, and productivity in non- oil sectors, Ople said that the Joint Commission Meeting was being held at a very crucial time, with the world facing many challenges especially in the wake of recent globaI developments affecting the lives of people, not only in the Middle East, but also all over the world.

Ople said that the Philippines recognizes the "…key role played by Iran --- defined by its strategic geographic location and vital resources as a major player in the regional political arena."  He then thanked the Iranian government for its support of the Philippines in the Organization of the Islamic Conference and in the United Nations, as well as in the Philippine quest for a comprehensive and durable peace in the Southern Philippines.

Among the Philippines’ trade concerns are a lower Iranian tariff on Philippine bananas, access into the Iranian market of Philippine-produced herbal supplements, chemicals, construction materials, auto parts and accessories and air-conditioning machinery.  He invited Iran to consider the Philippines as a destination of Iran's outward investments in the Southeast Asian region, a growing market of 500 million consumers.  He also asked Iran to allow Philippine construction companies to employ Filipino workers in their projects in Iran.  Likewise, he expressed hope that more Filipino seamen may be employed on board Iranian seagoing vessels.

Ople suggested the establishment of a Philippines-lran Business Council, made up of private-sector representatives, to meet alternately in Iran and in the Philippines, to which the Iranian Commerce Minister agreed.  He also pleased his Iranian hosts with his announcement that the Philippines will host this year the Iran-sponsored Dialogue of Cultures and Civilizations, with the co-sponsorship of the Russian Federation.

Fellow Philippine Delegation members Thelmo Cunanan, President of the Philippine National Oil Company, and Jose Gangan, President of the Philippine Petrochemical Development Corporation, have conducted their own meetings with their industry counterparts in Iran on joint ventures related to energy supply, oil storage facilities in the Philippines, and petrochemicals.

Working groups of the two country delegations have been considering mutual concerns in various other economic and cultural areas.