Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs set to appoint new ambassador to Kuwait soon

(MENAFN- Arab Times) KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: Crisis between Kuwait and the Philippines instigated by the discovery of the body of a domestic worker named Joanna inside a freezer nearly a year ago has ended completely, and the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs intends to name a new ambassador to Kuwait soon, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting an informed source.

The same source added the new ambassador is expected to arrive latest at the end of the year, indicating the two countries have overcome the crisis — which has contributed to the flow of Filipino domestic workers in the labor market.

He noted the two countries are keen on closing that page by reaching an understanding. Kuwait had several months ago labeled former Filipino ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa 'persona non grata' and asked him to leave the country on the accusation of forming an embassy team to smuggle maids from homes, which ignited the crisis between the two countries and ended with a visit of the envoy of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to Kuwait after signing a draft agreement to regulate the process of recruiting Filipino workers and to guarantee their rights and safety.

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