Palau–Philippines relations

Palau-Philippines relations

Palau
Philippines

Palau–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral relations between Palau and the Philippines.

History

The first humans that reached Palau are believed to probably originate from the Philippines (about 2000 B.C.). A pygmy population was reported in the islands but disappeared in about 1100 A.D.[1]

Modern era

Formal diplomatic relations between Palau and the Philippines were established on July 15, 1997.[2]

Palau currently has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines had an embassy in Melekeok. There are 5,000 Filipino workers in Palau. 60 percent of all foreign workers from Palau came from the Philippines and they compose of 20 percent of Palau's total population. Palau's Medical Referral Program which was in force for almost 20 years, sends 100–150 patients annually to the Philippines for medical treatment. Many of Palau citizens goes to the Philippines to study in colleges and universities for higher education.[3]

Disputes

Maritime borders

The exact boundaries of Palau and the Philippines is remained to be defined by delimitation talks. A final agreement has not been made regarding the issue.[3]

Filipinos fishing in Palau's EEZ

Filipinos fishing within Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) remains an irritant to the relations of both countries. Palau's waters, especially near its southern reefs is currently threatened by over-fishing from boats from China, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries.[4] Diplomatic relations between Palau and the Philippines reached its lowest point when Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura threatened to sever ties with the Philippines due to repeated violations of Palau's EEZ by Filipino fishing vessels in January 1999.[5][6] However, in the recent years, Palau prefers to work on a fishing agreement with the Philippines rather than to file diplomatic protest against its neighbor.[7]

Philippine Embassy closure

On January 25, 2012, the Philippines announced the termination of 10 of its diplomatic missions by the end of July 2012 due to budgetary constraints. Palau President Johnson Toribiong requested President Benigno Aquino III to reconsider the government's plan to close the embassy in Palau. Palau was "extremely disheartened" to learn the Philippines intention to close the embassy in Palau. The Palau president reiterate the significance of the embassy. According to Toribiong the embassy is essential in the delimitation talks on the two countries' maritime border and that the embassy serves about 5,000 Filipino workers, which compose of 60 percent of Palau's foreign work force and 20 percent of the country's total population. The closure of the Philippine embassy in Melekeok will also affect Filipinos in neighboring countries such as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.[8]

However, according to the Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs, that they have not disclosed the list of embassies and consulates they are planning to close and are informing affected governments and the closure of a particular embassy or consulates are unofficial reports.[8] The Philippine embassy in Koror closed on July 31, 2012. The Department of Foreign Affairs' Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs made an official mission to Palau from February 27 to March 1, 2013 following the closure of the Philippine embassy.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Palau". Histclo.com. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "18th Anniversary of Palau-Philippines Diplomatic Relations". Palau Embassy in the Philippines. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Palau president appeals to President Noynoy Aquino to keep embassy". Sun.Star. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Santa Cruz group helps Palau save reef". SF Gate (Hearst Communications). Bloomberg. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "RP-Palau fisheries deal sought". Over Seas - The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas 2 (February, 1999). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Palau Country Review. CountryWatch Incorporated. 2013. p. 48.
  7. ↑ Go, Marianne (25 October 2010). "Palau studying new fishing scheme for RP vessels". Nagoya: The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  8. 1 2 Santos, Tina (25 January 2012). "10 PH embassies, consulates to be closed; Palau appeals". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  9. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20132123275400/http://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/newsroom/dfa-releases/7550-dfa-undertakes-official-mission-to-palau. Archived from the original on January 1, 1970. Retrieved May 21, 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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