RP envoy meets with UAE, Kuwait ambassadors

Philippine special envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Amable Aguiluz V met yesterday with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Mohammed Ebrahim Al Jowaid at the Tower Club, Philamlife Building, Makati City. During the meeting, Aguiluz announced his upcoming visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and explored possible ways to strengthen ties between the Philippines and UAE.

Aguiluz appealed for the release of the 23 Filipino seamen who are currently jailed in the UAE for embezzlement.

He also clarified news reports regarding UAE’s plan to tax foreign workers, which includes 150,000 Filipinos, to upgrade the skills of its nationals. The UAE ambassador said their government is still studying the proposal from its labor and social affairs ministry.

Meanwhile, Aguiluz also met with Kuwait Ambassador Ibrahim Mohanna Al-Mohanna. He is scheduled to visit Kuwait in July.

The Kuwaiti ambassador expressed support for Aguiluz’s proposal to use Kuwaiti clubs as venues for OFWs’ social, cultural and sports activities during the weekend.

Present at both meetings were Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Middle East and African Affairs officials including Director Omar Pangarungan, Director Vic Dimagiba, Ambassador Andy Gutoc and Executive Director Rey Catapang.