AMBASSADOR JOSE P. DEL ROSARIO JR.

BIDS FAREWELL TO JORDANIAN MFA OFFICIALS

18 January 2008 – Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Jose P. Del Rosario, Jr. called on officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to bid farewell as he is soon to return to the Philippines after having served for two years as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.  A career diplomat, Ambassador Del Rosario will be retiring after more than 34 years in the Philippine Foreign Service.

In his farewell call on Secretary-General (Deputy Minister) Dr. Khaldoun Al-Talhouni, Ambassador Del Rosario noted that Philippine-Jordanian bilateral relations remain strong despite the lack of a Jordanian resident embassy in Manila.  Secretary-General Al-Talhouni expressed the hope that Jordan would soon be able to establish a greater presence in Asia, particularly the Philippines, as the Ministry recognizes that many opportunities to broaden and deepen cooperation with Asian countries are left untapped.

Ambassador Del Rosario also told Sec. Gen. Al-Talhouni that the Embassy will be focusing on encouraging more people-to-people contacts through trade, investment, and tourism projects as one approach toward deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.  He noted that such efforts are already starting to bear fruit following the familiarization tour of the Philippines by Jordanian travel agents and tour operators.  Another initiative to be pursued this year is the promotion of exchange visits between Philippine and Jordanian business delegations.

Ambassador Ahmad Imbaydeen, Chief of the Consular Affairs and Expatriates Department of the MFA, also assured Ambassador Del Rosario that his department will continue to work closely with Embassy officials in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipino workers in Jordan.

Ambassador Del Rosario also called on Ambassador Ayman Al-Amery, Chief of the International Relations and Organizations Department, and Ambassador Mohammad Suraj, Chief of the Asian, African, and Australian Affairs Department.  Both departments had been key focal points in discussing various areas of political cooperation between the Philippines and Jordan. 

During his call on Ambassador Fares Al-Gatarneh, Chief of Protocol of the MFA, Ambassador Del Rosario was informed that the Royal Court already granted an audience with His Majesty King Abdullah II so that the ambassador could properly bid the King farewell.  Amb. Al-Gatarneh also confirmed that the MFA would be hosting a farewell reception in honor of Amb. Del Rosario.

MFA officials also promised to facilitate the agrément for incoming Ambassador Julius C. Torres, who has been designated and confirmed to replace Amb. Del Rosario.  END

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