PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BERNE AND CONSULATE GENERAL IN GENEVA CONDUCT CONSULAR CONSULTATIONS

( upper L-R: Ms Hannah Badiles of POLO, Ms. Lourdes Gurrea, Ms. Kathleen Llarena, Mr Harley Tesorero and Mr. Florencio Francisco)

( lower L-R: Ms Jennifer Sto. Domingo, Consul Jarie Osias, Ambassador Leslie Baja, Consul General Enrico Fos, Consul Tess Lazaro and Ms. Agnes Tuazon)

On 13 January 2015, officials of the Philippine Embassy in Berne and the Consulate General in Geneva held their second annual consular consultation in Berne to have an in-depth exchange of views and experiences aimed at further strengthening cooperation and safeguarding the rights and interests of Filipinos in Switzerland.

Ambassador Leslie Baja, in formally opening the consultation process, said that its purpose is to harmonize the protocols of both Philippine foreign service posts in order to better serve all consular clients, Filipinos and Swiss alike.

There are about 10,800 Filipinos in Switzerland, half of whom hold dual citizenship.  Majority are in the nursing and service sectors, including working for diplomatic missions both in Berne and Geneva.