AMBASSADOR ESPIRITU BIDS FAREWELL TO ICELAND

Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim administers the Oath of Allegiance to dual citizenship applicants in Iceland.

29 June 2007 — Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo B. Espiritu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that, with the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Oslo, Norway and the eventual transfer of jurisdiction over Iceland, he took the opportunity to bid farewell to Icelandic officials and the Filipino community in Iceland when he attended the 63^rd National Day of Iceland on 17 June 2007 in the capital Reykjavik.  

“I wish that the Philippine-Icelandic relations will continue to grow and hope that my successor, Ambassador Victoria Bataclan, be extended the same level of warmth and cooperation,” expressed Ambassador Espiritu during his meetings with Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, and Icelandic Foreign Minister Ingibjorg Soirun Giladottir.  

In his farewell dialogue with the Filipino community, Ambassador Espiritu reported on the economic progress the Philippines has made over the recent years and encouraged the Filipino community to help continue building upon the gains the country has made.  

He appealed to the Filipinos in Iceland to ensure that the youth remain “plugged into” their Filipino identity and heritage.  Speaking to the Filipinos present, Ambassador Espiritu said, “Our temporary absence from the Philippines should not deprive both the country and your descendants the opportunity to make the connection with our motherland.”  

The dialogue was attended by more than 350 members of the Filipino community in Iceland . It was the first since the appointment of a regular Philippine Honorary Consul in the person of Ms. Priscilla Zanoria. Icelandic Trade Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson also graced the occasion. In his message, Mr. Skarphedinsson echoed the Ambassador's call for Filipinos to remain connected to their roots and heritage.  

Deputy Chief of Mission Reynaldo Catapang and Labor Attaché Jun Rasul, Jr., who were also part of the Embassy team that went to Iceland, met with officials of the Icelandic Immigration and Labour Directorates to explore the possibility of expanding opportunities for deployment of Filipino workers in Iceland.  They also joined the Filipino Icelandic Association at their Philippine booth during the celebrations of Iceland ’s National Day.  

At present, there are 1,411 Filipinos in Iceland working as engineers, health workers, caregivers, airport staff and office workers.  

The other members of the team, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and Passport Officer Criselda Abril, on the other hand, provided consular services to Filipinos and briefed them on the benefits and process of dual citizenship, general immigration and consular concerns.  END

/jay

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