The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal has expressed his openness to restart negotiations with the Philippines to normalize the two countries’ relations.
President Marcos and Mishal had “reaffirmed their commitment to work together to resolve outstanding issues” during a brief meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit in Riyadh.
The DFA said the Kuwaiti Crown Prince requested a short and informal meeting with the Mr. Marcos immediately after the Summit, with the Prince informing the latter of his country’s urgent desire to normalize relations with the Philippines.
Marcos also disclosed that Mishal has apologized for his country’s treatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The department said the Kuwaiti leader has told Marcos that the “narrow-mindedness of some of the Kuwaiti officials” caused the breakdown of the negotiations between the Philippine and Kuwaiti delegations last May.
In May, Kuwait suspended the issuance of new entry visas for Filipinos amid recurring issues pertaining to the bilateral labor agreement of both countries.
The DFA then said it was a move to pressure the Philippines to lift its deployment ban of Filipino workers to the Middle East country.
In January this year, the Philippines imposed a ban on the deployment of first-time workers to Kuwait.
It came after the death of Jullebee Ranara, a domestic helper in Kuwait, who was killed by her employer’s son. Her body was burned and dumped in the desert.
