On August 15 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian started his official visit
to the Philippines.

Foreign Minister’s visit started with the wreath laying ceremony at the
memorial of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. Afterwards, the Mayor of
Manila Alfredo Lim handed over the symbolic key to the city to Edward
Nalbandian.

In Manila the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs was received by Benigno
S. Aquino III, the President of the Philippines.

Welcoming Edward Nalbandian, the President of the Philippines stressed the
importance of Armenia’s commitment to give a new impetus to bilateral
relations on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Philippines and expressed
hope that the first visit of the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs to
the Philippines would provide a new impulse to bilateral cooperation.
Expressing gratitude for the reception, Minister Nalbandian conveyed the
greetings and wishes of the Armenian President to the leader of the
Philippines, and stressed that his visit is aimed at the raising of
cooperation with the Philippines to a new level, a country which has an
important role in the Asian region. Edward Nalbandian added that certain
agreements have been reached during the talks with the Foreign Affairs
Secretary of the Philippines.

The President of the Philippines told the Armenian Minister of Foreign
Affairs about the results of political, economic and social reforms
implemented in his country, as well as the projects being implemented in
those spheres.

Minister Nalbandian presented President Aquino the main directions of
Armenia’s foreign policy and Armenia’s approaches on regional issues.
During the talk, a wide range of issues related to the development of
bilateral relations was touched upon.

Earlier, on the same day the talks between Edward Nalbandian and
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario took place
during which the sides had a thorough talk on the steps to be undertaken
towards the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as the
developments in the Asian, Caucasus and Middle East regions.
For the intensification of the Armenian-Philippine interaction, the
Ministers agreed to take efficient steps towards the promotion of
political dialogue, trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges,
as well as the creation of legal framework.

The sides discussed the possibilities to establish interaction in the
spheres of investment promotion, science and education, infrastructures,
agriculture, health, construction and tourism.

Edward Nalbandian and Albert F. del Rosario exchanged views on regional
and global issues. In this context, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary
presented his country’s approaches over the Asia-Pacific regional
developments and integration processes. In his part, Edward Nalbandian
presented his counterpart the negotiations over the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Philippines touched upon a
number of global issues, as well. In particular the developments in the
Middle East were discussed.

After the negotiations, Edward Nalbandian and Albert F. del Rosario also
signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) of Armenia and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of
the Philippines and the Agreement between the Government of the Republic
of Armenia and the Government of the Philippines on the Waiver on Visa for
Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders.

For providing the continuity to the development of the relations between
the two countries, Albert F. del Rosario accepted Edward Nalbandian’s
invitation to pay a response visit to Yerevan.