DFA optimistic Kuwait, PH issue resolved soon after meeting with envoy

PRRD MEETS KUWAITI ENVOY. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Ambassador of Kuwait to the Philippines Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh exchange pleasantries following their meeting at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City on April 23, 2018. Also in the photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go. (Arman Baylon/Presidential Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday night expressed optimism that the issue between the Kuwait and the Philippine government will be resolved soon after a meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Manila.

“We are optimistic that following our conversation with Ambassador Saleh early this evening, the remaining issues between the Philippines and Kuwait will be resolved,” said the agency in a statement sent by DFA Office of Public Diplomacy Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte received Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City Monday evening to discuss concerns of overseas Filipino workers and other sensitive issues between the Philippines and Kuwait.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday issued two diplomatic protests to the Philippines and summoned Ambassador Renato Villa over reported “rescue operations” conducted by the embassy to save distressed Filipina workers.

During the meeting, Saleh reiterated that the Kuwaiti government is committed to protect and ensure the welfare of more than 250,000 Filipinos working in the Gulf nation, said DFA.

“For our part, we gave renewed assurances of our respect for the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and the dignity of the Kuwaiti people,” it added.

The government agreed to continue working with the State of Kuwait “to address matters of mutual concern.”

Meanwhile, the agency, assured they will update the public of developments.

“We, however, would like to appeal for the public’s kind understanding as we ask for some diplomatic space to allow us to continue our engagement with our Kuwaiti counterparts,” it said.

With the President during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar and other officials of the DFA.