Armenia–Philippines relations

Armenia–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral relations between Armenia and the Philippines. Relations between the two countries have gradually improved since it was established on May 20, 1992.[1] Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan visited the Philippines in 2012, making him the highest Armenian government official to ever visit the Philippines to date.[2] Armenian-Philippine relations were further strengthened upon the visit of Armenian non-resident ambassador Raisa Vardanyan to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on March 19, 2015. The most recent diplomatic engagement involved commitment to increase trade, investment and educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries.[3]

Armenia-Philippines relations

Armenia
Philippines

Both countries currently have non-resident ambassadors. The Armenian ambassador is accredited to Manila from Hanoi while the Philippine ambassador is accredited to Yerevan from Moscow.[4]

Historically, Armenians played a significant role in commerce and trade in the Philippines. Jesuit priest Murillo Velarde noted that the Armenians along with other Orthodox Christians had presence in Manila as early as 1618. In 18th century, Armenians in Manila some of which came from Madras in India where a major Armenian community is present, facilitated trade between the Philippine islands and India.[5] Though not stated by the government itself, some Filipino politicians have expressed support for Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh against threats from Azerbaijan. The Philippines, Armenia, and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have deep religious ties through Christianity.[6]

Trade and economic relations

Trade turnover (thous. US dollars)
Year Exports Imports
2012 39.0 2275.8
2013 68.1 1861.7
2014 8.1 2032.5

The data in the chart above shows that the trade volume between Armenia and the Philippines from 2012 to 2014.[4]

Migration

According to the Philippine Embassy in Moscow, there are at least 300 Filipinos settling in Yerevan,[7] the capital city of Armenia but only 70[8] are registered with the embassy in 2018. The number of Filipino tourists in Armenia also increased from 674 in 2014 to 22,007[9] in 2017, according to the country's Tourism Committee.[7]

In the Philippines, Armenian tourists arrivals also increased from only 84 in 2012 to more than 100 in 2016.[10]

Armenians in the Philippines

Since the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Armenians and Greeks are recorded to have been the first Orthodox Christians on Luzón. An eighteenth century document written by Pedro Murillo Velarde, a Jesuit historian describing their order's missionary labors in the Philippines, records the presence of such settlers in Manila as early as 1618. Although the number of Armenians in the Philippines is unknown, it was estimated to be around 114.

See also

References
  1. Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines (14 June 2014). "Secretary del Rosario receives Armenia envoy". Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  2. Reyes, F. (15 August 2012). "PH, Armenia sign agreements to expand bilateral relations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  3. "DFA chief, Armenian envoy push efforts to enhance ties of two countries". Interaksyon. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia (24 February 2015). "Bilateral relations: Philippines". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  5. Athyal, Jesudas, ed. (2015). Religion in Southeast Asia: An Encyclopedia of Faiths and Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Faiths and Cultures. ABC-CLIO. p. 11. ISBN 978-1610692502. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  6. Republic of Artsakh
  7. Fazio, Megan Iacobini de. "Why have Gulf-based Filipinos fallen in love with Armenia?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  8. Viray, Patricia Lourdes (24 April 2018). "Filipinos in Armenia urged to avoid political activity". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  9. Karapetyan, Hakob (31 March 2018). "Filipinos in Armenia". JAM News. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  10. "OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINES (PH) - ARMENIA (AM) BILATERAL RELATIONS". Embassy of the Philippines, Moscow, Russia. Retrieved 12 April 2019.


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