MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSULTATIONS ON CONSULAR MATTERS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

1. In view of the friendly and dynamic bilateral relations between
the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran which have resulted in the increasing level
of interaction between their peoples, and in affirmation of the
importance of the establishment of regular consultations in broadening
the sphere of consular relations between the two countries that reflect
their desire to further enhance overall bilateral relations, the
Governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Islamic Republic
of Iran (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”), have formally agreed
to enter into an understanding governing the establishment of Consular
Consultations (hereinafter referred to as “Consultations”), as follows:

2. The Consultations shall be established to promote closer
cooperation between the Parties on consular matters, including the
protection and promotion of the welfare of the Parties’ respective
citizens residing in each other’s territory, immigration-related
concerns, passport and visa matters, and combating organized
transnational crime, among others.

3. The Parties shall provide all the necessary support, within the
framework of existing regulations in each other’s country, to fulfill
the objectives of the Consultations.

4. The Consultations will be co-chaired by the Assistant Secretary
for Consular Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of the Philippines and a counterpart official of the Islamic
Republic of Iran.

5. The frequency of, and dates for the holding of Consultations shall be mutually agreed upon by both Parties.

6. The Consultations shall be alternately held in Manila and Tehran.

7. The administrative arrangements for the holding of the
Consultations shall be the responsibility of the host country. Such
arrangements shall be communicated to the other Party through diplomatic
channels.

8. The substantive agenda of the Consultations shall be initially
prepared by the host country, which shall be communicated to the other
Party through diplomatic channels. The other Party may propose additions
and revisions to the proposed agenda. The final agenda of the
Consultations shall be agreed upon by both Parties.

9. An “Agreed Minutes” of the Consultations shall be initially
prepared by the host country and shall be adopted and signed by the
Heads of Delegations of both Parties after the Consultations.

10. This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of its signature.

11. Done in Manila on 09 March 2007 in two original copies in the
English and Persian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines	For the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
(Sgd.) ERLINDA F. BASILIO	(Sgd.) MEHDI SAFARI
Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs	Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia Pacific and the CIS