The Philippines, represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has shown a keen interest in enhancing and rejuvenating its relationship with Iran as they commemorate 61 years of diplomatic relations. This sentiment was expressed during the Iranian National Day celebration held in Taguig City. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, which began in 1964.
De Vega expressed anticipation for the upcoming bilateral meeting in Tehran, which he hopes will further advance and invigorate the ties between the Philippines and Iran. He mentioned that the meeting will cover various sectors including agriculture, science and technology, culture and arts, tourism, and multilateral diplomacy.
Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yousef Esmaeilzadeh, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that expanding relations with Asian nations, including the Philippines, is a central objective of Iran’s foreign policy. He expressed confidence in the continued growth and development of bilateral relations across multiple sectors.
The most recent meeting between the two nations was the 7th Iran-Philippines Joint Consultative Committee Meeting (JCCM) on Political, Economic, and Cultural Cooperation, held in Manila in November 2023. Prior to this, both countries had signed a memorandum of understanding focusing on science and technology cooperation, particularly in joint research and development in applied sciences.
The 2019 agreement between Manila and Tehran identified five key areas for cooperation: agriculture and biotechnology, medicine and pharmaceuticals, space technology, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. The two countries have been celebrating their diplomatic relations since January 22, 1964.