Phl plans to open 2 consulates in Mexico

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines plans to open honorary consulates in two port cities in Mexico to serve at least 100,000 Filipino seafarers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday that the proposal to open honorary consulates in the port cities of Manzanillo and Veracruz was discussed during a meeting between DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario and Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa in Mexico on Feb. 16.

Espinosa expressed support for the DFA’s plan to open two honorary consulates in Mexico.

Del Rosario also signed two bilateral agreements with Espinosa, including establishing a Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting and providing for the exchange of information, training modules and scholars for diplomatic training.

Mexico also offered its assistance in helping the DFA establish its own online diplomatic training and education program.

Del Rosario also congratulated Espinosa for assuming the presidency of the G-20 for 2012 and affirmed the Philippines’ support for its priorities.

The two officials also agreed to cooperate in climate change issues such as the Green Development Agenda.

Del Rosario noted that in the last 60 years of Philippine-Mexico relations, 21 bilateral agreements were signed, mainly on education and culture. He underscored the need to focus the relations more on bilateral trade and investments.

Noting that tourism is Mexico’s second largest source of foreign exchange reserves, Del Rosario pointed out that the Philippines can readily supply goods for Mexico’s booming tourism industry.

The two officials expressed agreement to join the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement and will work together to make their common objective a reality.

The officials also exchanged views about developments in Asia and Latin America, including the issue on West Philippine Sea.