The Iranian and Filipino diplomats in a meeting in Manila on Wednesday underlined the need for the further expansion of bilateral ties in different fields. During the meeting in Manila today, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ramin Mehman-Parast and Philippine Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Middle East and African Affairs Petronila Garcia explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating the bilateral relations between the two countries. During the meeting, Mehman-Parast pointed to Iran\'s foreign policy priority for expanding ties with Asian countries, including the Philippines, and said, “Iran and the Philippines can play the role of a bridge to link the two regions (of Asia) together for the further development of their economic and trade ties by utilizing their potentials and capabilities.” The Filipino diplomat, for her part, underlined the need for boosting mutual cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Iran started on August 16, 1974. Iran invested $125 million in the Philippines’ petrochemical market in 2008. The value of oil exports from Iran to the Philippines was pegged at $83 million in February 2012. Both countries are eyeing to increase cooperation in areas of tourism, food production and industries, energy, construction, technology, science and culture.