Republik der Philippinen Botschaft und Ständige Vertretung bei den Internationalen Organisationen in Wien		Repúbliká ng Pilipinas Pásuguán at Pamalagiang Kinatawán sa mga Pangdáigdigang Kalipunán sa Vienna
PRESS RELEASE 06-09		13 May 2009

Philippine Embassy in Vienna Holds Outreach for OAV Registration in Zagreb, Croatia

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna held an outreach for Overseas Absentee Voting registration in Zagreb, Croatia on 13 May 2009 at the offices of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Croatia, Mr. Davor Stern.

The outreach was held at the sidelines of the official visit of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo to Croatia on 11 May 2009.

Vice Consul Sharon R. Rivera led the team, which was composed of Corazon Cruz and Severino Baliao. There was a total of eight registrants for the OAV, while two performed the oath for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship.

“While the turnout may be significantly smaller than that in other posts, the Embassy wanted to respond to the requests of the Filipino community in Croatia who are unable to come to Vienna owing to the geographical distance. The Secretary’s visit to Croatia also presented a good opportunity to meet with the Filipinos there,” Vice Consul Rivera said.

The total number of Filipinos in Croatia is estimated around 51. According to the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are four Filipinos with business permits in Croatia. The ships that dock in the ports of Rijeka, Zadar, Dubrovnik and Split are also mostly manned by Filipino seafarers.