Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said today the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) "is one step closer" to realizing its goal of full integration as a rules-based ASEAN Community.

Speaking at the closing session of the 40^th ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC) Saturday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Romulo lauded the inroads achieved in the "collective efforts" to build a stronger and more modern ASEAN through the "solid groundwork" done by the ASC for the four-day 40^th AMM which opens tomorrow (Monday).

"Through your support and cooperation, ASEAN is one step closer towards full integration and transforming ASEAN into a more rules-based organization," Romulo told the gathered ASEAN officials.

The High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter will present a first draft for the deliberation of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the AMM. The landmark document will embody the ideals and shared values of the ASEAN and identify compliance mechanisms, according to Romulo.

He also lauded the 40^th ASC for "giving life" to the ASEAN Leaders’ objective of safeguarding the rights and welfare of migrant workers with the creation of the ASEAN Committee on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

"Our workers are the productive base of our economies. In this era of globalization, their ability to cross boundaries and to contribute to all our economies is a source of great competitive strength. We, therefore, owe it to them to safeguard their welfare and rights, as we build a caring and sharing ASEAN community," Romulo said.

In his closing remarks, Romulo likewise commended the 40^th ASC for its commitment to solidify ASEAN unity, particularly in advancing socio-cultural priorities, including women, youth and children. The 40^th ASC also underscored the need to "assist nationals of ASEAN nations who work and live in countries undergoing crisis."

"It is an eloquent and clear expression of ASEAN solidarity when we stand by each other’s citizens, in moments of crisis in foreign lands," Romulo said.

The strengthening of cooperation in the ASEAN socio-cultural community will likewise be among the areas for discussion during the 40^th AMM in Manila.

Underscoring the continuing need to engage the international community to advance ASEAN’s goals, Romulo also credited the 40^th ASC for its efforts to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners through important agreements and plans of actions.

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The Philippines has offered to host a continuation of the talks among the six countries on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said over the weekend.

In his closing remarks after presiding over the 40^th Meeting of the ASEAN Standing Committee held Saturday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Romulo said that the Philippines is "aware of the precarious situation in the Korean Peninsula, which continues to grapple with the danger of nuclear proliferation."

He said it is in the interest of ASEAN to support the Six-Party Talks and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"For this reason, the Philippines has offered the Six-Party members, all of whom are attending the ARF, the opportunity to continue their dialogue if they wish to, here in Manila," Romulo said.

Five of the members of the Six-Party Talks are also full dialogue partners of ASEAN. They are the United States, China, Russia, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Along with North Korea or the People’s Republic of Korea, the other member of the Six-Party Talks, the five are attending the 14^th ARF.

The ARF is the region’s only all-inclusive regional security conclave.

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The Philippines will push for greater cooperation in counter-terrorism and continuing support for the Mindanao peace process and the plight of Filipino war veterans on the sidelines of the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and other related meetings here beginning Sunday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said over the weekend.

Aside from chairing 11 meetings and attending several others during the 40^th AMM, the Post-Ministerial Conferences and the 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Romulo announced that he will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts attending the series of international conferences.

"ASEAN’s multilateral setting provides a valuable opportunity for advancing both the collective agenda in the region as well the specific bilateral agenda we share with our partners," Romulo said in his opening remarks at a press conference at the PICC Saturday.

"The Philippines will actively pursue, at the sidelines of the ASEAN Meetings, a deeper engagement with our partners through these bilateral meetings," he added.

Meetings between the Philippines and at least 10 of 27 countries participating in the 40^th AMM, PMCs, and the 14^th ARF at the PICC are already being scheduled.

The Philippines will hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN members such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Meetings are also being scheduled between the Philippines and ASEAN Plus Three Partners Japan and China and ASEAN Dialogue Partners United States and Canada.

In addition, the Foreign Ministers of Thailand, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation are scheduled to hold dialogues while attending the 40^th AMM, PMC and 14^th ARF.

"Our bilateral relations with our partners are very special and we intend to take these bilateral meetings at the ASEAN sidelines to discuss specific issues of mutual concern," Romulo said.

He said that in his meetings with his counterparts from Indonesia and Malaysia, he will call for the broadening of bilateral cooperation in the peace process in the Southern Philippines.

Romulo said when he meets with US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, head of the US delegation to the 14^th ARF, he will take up a broad range of issues that include deepening counter-terrorism cooperation, Mindanao economic development, and support for Filipino World War II veterans.

With Japan, the Philippines will sign and exchange notes on the Improvement of Flood Forecasting and Warning System in the Pampanga, the Agno River Basins Project, and the Enhancement of Communications Systems for Marine Safety and Security Project.

The Philippines also looks forward to further elevating its partnerships with Thailand, DPRK, and the Russian Federation with the official visits of the foreign ministers of these countries, Romulo said.

During the meeting between Romulo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, an Agreement for Visa Waiver for Holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports will be signed. Both officials will also witness the signing of an Agreement on Anti-Trafficking of Illicit Drugs.

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The European Union and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will forge closer cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region when they take up EU’s accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) during the Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila on Aug. 1.

ASEAN officials said EU's accession to the TAC will show its firm commitment to pursuing ASEAN’s roadmap for peace and stability in the region.

The EU delegation will be headed by EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Dr. Javier Solana.

Signed in Bali, Indonesia on Feb. 24, 1976, the ASEAN TAC sis designed to promote regional peace and stability in Southeast Asia through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law among its signatories.

The treaty also calls for settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means and renounces the use of force.

Under the TAC, ASEAN member-states must ensure that their policies are guided by the universal principle of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations, and the right of every state to lead its national existence free from external interference.

Several of ASEAN’s current Dialogue Partners have acceded to the TAC such as China and India in 2003; Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia and Pakistan in 2004; Australia and New Zealand in 2005; France and Timor Leste in January 2007 during the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

Sri Lanka will accede to the TAC when its foreign minister attends the 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum. 

EU’s accession to TAC will be taken up during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC), plus one with EU. Presiding over the ministerial meeting will be Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and concurrently Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong.

Also up for discussion is the Plan of Action to implement the Nuremburg Declaration on ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership signed last March in Nuremburg, Germany.

The Nuremberg Declaration is the roadmap for closer cooperation between ASEAN and EU, including intensive political and security cooperation, expansion of trade and economic relations, and close interaction on expansion of trade and economic relations and interaction on fundamental global issues, such as energy and the environment.

The EU is ASEAN's oldest dialogue partner dating back to 1977.

ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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After lengthy, exhaustive deliberations that extended well into the wee hours of the morning the past two days, all that is left to be settled  in the formulation of the historic first draft of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter are the  thorny issues of human rights and voting other than by consensus.

In a press conference Saturday that followed the closing of the 4^th Meeting of the 40^th ASEAN Standing Committee, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said that the High Level Task Force (HLTF) assigned to draft the charter is hoping to finish everything by Sunday evening in time for the informal dinner for the 40^th AMM delegates Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

"They told me at least 90 percent has been agreed upon. Among the several items that the Philippines hopes to be included are the issue on human rights and voting by consensus," he said.

Romulo said the Philippine position on the inclusion of a human rights clause in the charter is firm and definite.

"We have a position and we hope that position is upheld. We believe it is a good position and should be supported," he said.

Romulo pointed out that even the United Nations has a Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that the Philippines is a member of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He stressed that no country is being singled out in this proposal.

"It’s a universal desire that there must be a Human Rights Commission. I believe the ASEAN can do no less," he explained.

Romulo said it is not up to him to make a comment or what would be the outcome of the thorny issue, saying it would be up to the HLTF.

"We are not focusing on any country. It is up to them to come up with the desired result. I am optimistic, however, that they will come to an agreement," Romulo said.

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Ten Southeast Asian nations will draft this afternoon a plan of action to ensure a treaty banning nuclear weapons in the region is enforced with full cooperation from the world’s nuclear powers, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Saturday.

He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) wants a common regional strategy to convince the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France and China -- to accede to the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty.

This will ensure that no nuclear weapons pass through the region at anytime and use of nuclear energy for power will follow international safety standards, Romulo said.

In a press conference at the closing of the 4^th meeting of the 40^th Asian Standing Committee at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Romulo said the SEANFWZ Executive Committee, which he also chairs, wants full regional compliance with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

"Our desire is that Permanent 5 countries should agree to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which would make Southeast Asia a nuclear free zone," he said.

ASEAN member-states also want all nations in the region to implement International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards in the use of nuclear power and in the handling of nuclear weapons.

"The IAEA has a set of procedures or safeguards so we want them to be available and make use of it. We will then have to seek the support of all countries, particularly those with nuclear power," he explained.

The SEANFWZ was ratified by ASEAN members in 1997 and this year’s meeting of the Executive Committee will review the implementation of the treaty.

"So many other countries are developing nuclear power. They’re supposed to be clean energy. All these will come into the discussion on the SEANWFZ," he said.

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The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) completed Saturday a plan of action to totally ban nuclear weapons 10 years after agreeing to a nuclear-weapons free regime in the region.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Claro Cristobal said all ASEAN members approved the Plan of Action for the full implementation of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANFWZ) Treaty that includes an active campaign to convince all nuclear powers in the world to enforce the weapons ban treaty.

The SEANWFZ Executive Committee chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto S. Romulo approved the regional bloc’s course of action during an executive session a day before the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Cristobal told reporters.

The meeting is the first to be held by the ASEAN since its member-states signed the treaty in 1995 in Bangkok. The treaty came into force in 1997 when Cambodia joined the regional bloc as a regular member.

Except for "minor things," Cristobal said the commission completed the Plan of Action for submission to the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting which opens at PICC tomorrow (Monday).

"Everything went smoothly," Cristobal said of the closed door meeting.

Romulo said ASEAN’s main objective under the Plan of Action is to convince the nuclear power states such as Russia, the United States, United Kingdom, France, China – all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- and emerging nuclear states India and Pakistan to accede to the SEANFWZ.

China has signified its intention to accede to the SEANFWZ last year.

ASEAN nations also want full implementation of international safety standards in the use of nuclear energy, according to Romulo.

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Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are closing ranks to extend consular assistance to their nationals caught in conflict or crisis situations in third countries.

Foreign ministers of the 10-member ASEAN attending the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Manila, are set to approve tomorrow (July 30), the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on extending consular assistance by ASEAN missions in third countries to nationals of ASEAN member countries in crisis situations.

Initiated by the Philippines, the basic principle embodied in the SOP is for an "ASEAN member country to provide assistance to nationals of another ASEAN state similar to that given to its own nationals, based on capacities and resources of the relevant missions during a crisis."

The SOP will institutionalize a set of procedures governing future cooperation among ASEAN member countries on matters involving their nationals in crisis situations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that under this SOP, an ASEAN country that does not have a consular mission in a third country can seek formal assistance from another ASEAN country that has a mission in that third country to assist their nationals who are in crisis situations.

In case of imminent danger, however, "a citizen of an ASEAN member country may directly seek assistance from the missions of other ASEAN member countries or go directly to shelters or sanctuaries provided by their missions," the DFA said.

At the height of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis in Lebanon in July 2006, ASEAN countries cobbled together an informal arrangement among its missions in Lebanon and in neighboring countries to assist ASEAN nationals whose countries do not have diplomatic representatives in the troubled country.

The Philippines initiated the stronger ASEAN cooperation for the protection of their nationals in third countries in line with the "One Caring and Sharing Community" theme of the 12^TH ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Cebu last year.

This is an offshoot of official Philippine policies giving priority to the protection of its nationals abroad initiated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to DFA Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Claro Cristobal.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the keynote speaker at the formal opening of the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) tomorrow (July 30).

The President is expected to highlight the significance of the theme of the 40^th AMM, "One Caring and Sharing Community," which was first adopted at the 12^th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu last January.

She is also expected to call on the ASEAN foreign ministers to speed up regional cooperation in the three areas of political, security, and economic and socio-cultural advancement.

Meanwhile, eight ASEAN foreign ministers were scheduled to arrive Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

They are Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Syed Hamaid Albar, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation Thongloun Sisoulilth, Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win;

Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram, Timor Leste Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adaljiza A. Magno, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo Yong Boon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation Hor Namhong.

ASEAN senior officials have started meeting early this week at the PICC in preparation for the five-day AMM, the Post Ministerial Conferences, and the 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum.

They discussed among others things the final draft of the proposed ASEAN Charter to be presented for approval by the ASEAN leaders at the 13^th ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November this year.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo will host an informal working dinner among ASEAN foreign ministers and officials at the PICC Banquet Hall tonight.

He will later hold a press conference.

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Following is the official press release issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after today’s bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun:

In a move seen to further deepen their bilateral engagement, the Philippines and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) signed here today an agreement to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism.

Signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun at the sidelines of the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings (AMM), Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the agreement provides a regular forum for the Philippines and DPRK to discuss and chart diplomatic relations on a broad range of issues.

"The Agreement institutionalizes regular consultations between both foreign ministries to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation through exchanges of views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

"This agreement builds on our current efforts to solidify our relations with DPRK. It is also concrete proof of both the Philippines and DPRK’s commitment and desire to further intensify our cooperation on mutual concerns," Secretary Romulo said.

"Through this Agreement, our two countries give full and clear expression to our shared hopes and aspirations for the welfare of our peoples, and for peace and stability in our region," Secretary Romulo said.

Minister Pak, on the other hand, described the signing of the Agreement as "an important phase in our bilateral relations."

"Our cooperation is moving from strength to strength," said Minister Pak.

Minister Pak emphasized the need to "further intensify exchanges between our peoples" and expressed full support for the early conclusion of another agreement on cultural exchange.

During the signing ceremonies, Minister Pak announced that he will direct the DPRK Foreign Ministry to work closely with the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs for the signing of the cultural agreement.

At their bilateral meeting prior to the agreement signing, Secretary Romulo and Minister Pak likewise reaffirmed the Philippines and DPRK’s commitment to "further broaden the frontiers of peace in the Asia-Pacific region."

"Our bilateral engagement with one of our new emerging partners bolsters our region’s collective efforts for greater peace, progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific," Romulo said.

Secretary Romulo reiterated the Philippines’ call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Secretary Romulo also conveyed the Philippines’ willingness to host a high-level dialogue between the Six Party Talks members at the sidelines of the Manila ASEAN Ministerial Meetings.

"Stability and security are imperatives for our region and we are ready to extend our assistance – through diplomacy and dialogue - to move the Six Party Talks towards its peaceful resolution," Romulo explained.

The Secretary said that Minister Pak reacted positively to his call for the continuation and success of the Six-Party Talks.

The members of the Six Party talks - DPRK, Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the United States, and the Russian Federation - will also be in Manila for their respective participation in the 40th AMM, PMC and 14^th ARF.

Romulo and Pak also reaffirmed the strategic value of the 2000 Joint Communiqué, which formally established the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Minister Pak is on an historic official visit to Manila back-to-back with DPRK’s participation in the ARF. Minister Pak is the first foreign minister from DPRK to visit the Philippines.

Minister Pak’s official visit is conducted only a month after Secretary Romulo concluded his visit to the DPRK.

Secretary Romulo is the first Philippine foreign minister to visit DPRK since the two nations established formal diplomatic relations in July 12, 2000. Secretary Romulo is also the first foreign minister to meet Minister Pak after his appointment as DPRK foreign minister.

Emphasizing the need to further deepen the "reservoir of goodwill" built during the exchange of visits, Secretary Romulo said both the Philippines and the DPRK stand to benefit from greater collaboration through "this most important venue for meaningful dialogue."

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The Philippines and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea signed today a landmark agreement establishing a mechanism for bilateral consultations in the political, economic and cultural fields that are expected to further deepen the relationship between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Claro Cristobal said in a press briefing that the agreement provides a regular forum for the Philippines and North Korea to discuss and chart diplomatic relations on a broad range of issues.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun signed the agreement at the sidelines of the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings (AMM), Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Romulo, the first Filipino foreign minister to visit North Korea since the two nations established formal diplomatic relations in July 2000, welcomed the accord, saying it solidifies the relations between the two countries.

"The agreement builds on our current efforts to solidify our relations with DPRK. It is also a concrete proof of both the Philippines and DPRK’s commitment and desire to further intensify our cooperation on mutual concerns," he said.

"Through this Agreement, our two countries give full and clear expression to our shared hopes and aspirations for the welfare of our peoples, and for peace and stability in the region," he added.

Pak described the landmark agreement as "an important phase in our bilateral relations."

"Our cooperation is moving from strength to strength," said Pak, who had earlier assured Romulo of his country’s participation in the ARF and its successful conclusion. 

Pak indicated that North Korea is interested in developing cooperation in energy, information technology and cultural exchanges. During the signing ceremonies, he announced that he will direct the DPRK Foreign Ministry to work closely with the DFA for the signing of a cultural agreement.

The North Korean foreign minister also reacted positively to Romulo’s call for the continuation and success of the Six-Party Talks, an indication, Romulo said, that DPRK is committed "to further broaden the frontiers of peace in the Asia-Pacific region."

"Our bilateral agreement with one of our new emerging partners bolsters our region’s collective efforts for greater peace, progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific," Romulo said.

The members of the Six Party Talks – DPRK, South Korea, China, Japan, the United States and Russia – will also be attending the Post Ministerial Conferences and the 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum.

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Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye joined today calls for water conservation amid the prolonged dry spell sweeping the country and the continuing drop of the water level in various reservoirs.

In his weekly column, The View from the Palace that comes out tomorrow (Monday), Bunye said the lack of rain has led to water levels going down "to critical levels in various water reservoirs, threatening to destroy crops if the rains do not come as expected."

"At this time of the year, we should be having frequent, moderate rains but this is not happening," he said.

Earlier last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on all Filipinos to conserve water to soften the impact of the dry spell.

Bunye quoted Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul saying that the "Pacific region is cooling now and is expected to form a La Nina condition. When it is a La Nina in the Pacific Ocean, the waters east of the Philippines are warm. The sea surface temperature is high, which should result to water evaporation and subsequent rain. That is the reason why a La Nina event is characterized by a lot of rains. But that is not what is happening now."

This South West monsoon, Graciano told Bunye, is the main purveyor of rain formation, which, together with the incidence of water evaporation brought about by high sea surface temperature characteristic of the La Niña phenomenon, should be causing tropical cyclones.

"The result is dry, summer-like weather," Yumul said.

Bunye said Yumul recommended that cloud-seeding activities should continue despite its "limited" benefits, saying he hoped a "runoff will happen and will contribute to the water level" in the various reservoirs.

He said Yumul cited three reasons for the limited effect of cloud-seeding, which are: 1. Clouds seeded have their rain falling in other places other that the dams; 2. Cloud-seeding produces small quantities of rain; and, 3. The soil is so dry that there is no runoff.

"Meantime, we would all do well by doing our share in conserving the meager water that we have," Bunye said.

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