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FMJ meets Qatar Emir; 9 coop deals inked
By Nidz Godino
“Nationals of either party who are holders of valid passport types mentioned in Article 1 of this Agreement are exempted from obligation to obtain visas for entry and stay in territory of the other party, for stay of 30 days, ”Philippines and Qatar have signed nine cooperation agreements in areas that include climate change mitigation, anti-human trafficking, seafarers’ welfare and trade, development seen to further enhance ties between two countries.
Agreements were presented after bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and visiting Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Malacañang.
One of the agreements was memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation on capacity building on climate change.
Signed by Philippines’ Climate Change Commission and Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, MOU seeks to strengthen bilateral collaboration in pursuing technical cooperation and capacity building, enhance knowledge sharing, and promote transformative climate action in line with action goals under 2016 Paris Agreement.
Also signed was MOU to strengthen ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in combating human trafficking, allows both countries to work together to fight human trafficking and advance labor protection in both countries through exchange of expertise in the field of legislation and exchange of studies and research.
Manila and Doha also inked MOU on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates to implement provisions stipulated in International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) of 1978 and its amendments. MOU refers to Circular No. 1450 issued by Maritime Safety Committee on Jan. 24, 2013 on mutual recognition of certificates according to regulation I/10 of STCW Convention.
Agreement , signed by Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, shall apply to certificates of seafarers who serve on registered merchant ships of any of participants and sail under its flag, except for those who serve on ships mentioned in Article 3 of the STCW Convention.
Two countries also signed agreement in the field of tourism and business events, allows Manila and Doha to develop and strengthen their cooperation on tourism and business events on basis of mutual benefits according to applicable rules and regulations and relevant international obligations.
Agreement pushes for cooperation in encouraging tourist flows to both countries and promoting cooperation between travel and tourism agencies and other relevant establishments to increase tourist exchange.
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Marcos and Sheikh Tamim also witnessed signing of MOU aims to promote cooperation and facilitate communication between sports federations of their countries and to set framework for cooperation programs in sports based on principle of reciprocity.
Another MOU seeks to facilitate communication between youth organizations in Manila and Doha and to set framework for cooperation programs. Countries are expected to enhance their cooperation on youth sector through visit exchanges of youth delegations, members of youth centers and specialists and exchange of youth-related experiences and research.
Agreement is expected to pave way to meetings, conferences, lectures, seminars and academic forums on youth-related topics in both countries, explore opportunities to establish youth camps alternately and exchange research and studies in youth employment and entrepreneurship.
Both Philippines and Qatar also inked waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special or official passports. Deal allows two countries to facilitate travel of their nationals who are on official missions for their respective governments while complying with provisions of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry also signed separate memoranda of understanding with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During his bilateral meeting with Sheikh Tamim, Marcos expressed optimism about prospects of relationship between Philippines and Qatar. “With Philippines and Qatar sharing 43 years of deep friendship and cooperation, I am certain that our discussions today will translate to stronger collaboration in common fields of interests, I look forward to fruitful and productive meeting with you today, with hope our discussion will open opportunities to improve and strengthen our bilateral relations at every level at the commercial level, at government-to-government level, at people-to-people level,” the President said.
Sheikh Tamim said signed agreements would further enhance Qatar’s ties with Philippines, he described as “ important partner” in many fields.
“It is my pleasure to take this opportunity to praise Filipino community residing in State of Qatar and their effective contribution to development progress in our country,” the Qatari leader added.
Diplomatic ties between Philippines and Qatar were established on May 5, 1981. There are about 242,000 Filipinos in Qatar.
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