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| 31 JULY 2007 | . | |
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| 31 JULY 2007 | . | |
| Pangandaman, Atienzaand 10 partylist member take oath of office before PGMA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administered at the Heroes’ Hall of Malacañang this morning the oaths of office to Cabinet Secretaries Nasser Pangandaman and Jose Atienza Jr. who will head the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), respectively. Also during the same event, the President administered the oaths of office to 10 Partylist representatives who won in the May 14 midterm elections. Pangandaman, who used to head
the erstwhile Department of Land Reform (DLR), was earlier appointed to head
the DAR but only in an acting capacity. |
| Southwest Pacific leaders affirm strong relations, agree on mutual assistance |
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The following is the Joint Media Statement
issued on the occasion of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Southwest
Pacific Dialogue at the Philippine International Convention Center chaired
by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo: Manila, 31 July 2007 1. The Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Southwest Pacific Dialogue was held in Manila on 31 July 2007, at the margins of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/Post Ministerial Conferences and the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum. 2. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. It was attended by H.E. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, H.E. Christopher Mero, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to Indonesia, and H.E. Mrs. Adaljiza Magno, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste. The Meeting was held in the form of a breakfast meeting. 3. The participants exchanged views on developments in the Southwest Pacific region. They lauded the commitment of the Southwest Pacific countries to maintaining democratic principles and pursuing good governance. In this light, the participants commended the recent conduct of credible and orderly elections in Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, and expressed the hope that the political process would help advance those countries' development. The meeting expressed appreciation to countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, that are providing assistance to enhance security in Timor-Leste through the International Security Force and the United Nations. 4. The participants had extensive discussions on strengthening people-to-people contact and affirmed the need to promote further cooperation in the areas of education and culture. The Meeting commended Indonesia for its initiative to conduct an annual scholarship program for studies in Indonesian art and culture, as well as diplomatic training courses. The participants also commended Indonesia for convening various technical cooperation under the Indonesian Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries Program. The Meeting further welcomed the willingness of the Philippines and Australia to help strengthen the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, and the assistance New Zealand is providing in the area of human resource development in both countries. 5. On cultural cooperation, the participants commended Indonesia for convening the Indonesian Journalist Visit Program for 2006 and 2007, which involved SWPD member countries as a medium of cooperation among mass media in the region and raised the possibility of undertaking an exchange of journalists among the member countries to enhance regional understanding. The participants also welcomed Indonesia's proposal to convene an internship for young journalists from SWPD member countries for the year 2008. 6. The participants underscored the continuing threat to regional stability and prosperity posed by transnational crime and terrorism. They welcomed the region's successes in law enforcement operations, including the recent arrests of key terrorist figures and people-smugglers. Nonetheless, the participants also reiterated the need to remain vigilant against these threats. They exchanged views and best practices on addressing transnational crime and terrorism. 7. On interfaith dialogue, the participants praised the active role played by Southwest Pacific countries in the ongoing promotion of interfaith dialogue and understanding in the international community, as evinced by the successful conduct of the 3rd Regional Interfaith Dialogue in Waitangi, New Zealand, in May 2007 at which all Southwest Pacific Dialogue countries were represented. The participants looked forward to the 4th Regional Interfaith Dialogue in 2008. The participants reiterated the need for faith and community leaders across the region to play a role in nurturing respect and understanding between communities at the grassroots levels and complementing it with economic development efforts to mitigate the propaganda of radical elements in affected areas. The participants recognized the leadership of the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia in the area of interfaith dialogue. They expressed support for the Philippines' Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace (TFICP) and for Australia's proposal to co-host, with the EU, an interfaith forum for youth. The participants welcomed the UN-led Alliance of Civilizations (AOC) initiative as the only truly global effort to bridge divides between societies. They commended New Zealand for initiating regional consideration of the AOC Report and its recommendations in the fields of education, youth, media and migration by hosting a High-Level Symposium on the AOC in May. 8. The participants welcomed Indonesia's role in promoting tolerance and free expression of mass media by convening the First Global Inter-Media Dialogue (GIMD) held in Bali on 1-2 September 2006 and co-sponsored the second GIMD in Oslo on 4-5 June 2007. The participants of the GIMD agreed that free expression is important as is respect for cultural values, tradition and religion. The participants further welcomed Indonesia's initiative to convene the third GIMD which is expected to be held in Indonesia in 2008. 9. The participants agreed to continue discussion in the Southwest Pacific Dialogue on the need to address maritime issues in the Southwest Pacific, specifically those pertaining to security, environmental protection, and conservation of fisheries resources. They noted the importance of a systematic exchange of information and the conduct of concrete cooperation, both through bilateral and regional channels. This would ensure that the region's waterways are safe from trafficking in illicit drugs and persons, people smuggling activities, illegal logging, illegal fishing, piracy and robbery, and terrorist operations, and its marine sources exploited in a sustainable manner. 10. The participants discussed the heightened danger posed by avian influenza and HIV/AIDS in the sub-region and deemed essential the intensive regional and international cooperation to enable a comprehensive and timely response to these growing concerns. 11. The participants recognized that the Southwest Pacific was prone to natural disasters, which necessitated the mainstreaming of disaster mitigation policies into domestic poverty alleviation and sustainable development efforts. They agreed to exchange more information in future meetings of the Southwest Pacific Dialogue on how best to strengthen partnerships among the government, private sector, media, civil society and the grassroots for risk reduction strategies. 12. The participants thanked the Government of the Philippines for hosting the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Southwest Pacific Dialogue and looked forward to the opportunity to meet in 2008 at the margins of the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting / Post Ministerial Conferences in Singapore. |
| PGMA launches TESDA's Language Skills Institute |
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“Before: Knowledge, attitude and skills; Now: Knowledge, language, attitude
and skills.” Thus proclaimed a streamer of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which had President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the principal guest at the launching this morning of its Language Skills Institute (LSI) in Taguig City. The President launched the LSI together with Sen. Edgardo Angara, a former president of the University of the Philippines (UP), and Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion, Taguig Vice Mayor George Elias, and TESDA head Augusto Syjuco. In his speech during the LSI launching ceremony, Syjuco thanked the Chief Executive for her “leadership by inspiration… and unshakeable sense of vision” which, he said, have brought “a new dawn of hope” to the country’s out-of-school and unemployed youth.” The event was also attended by officials of the embassies of Mexico, Kingdom of Jordan, Japan, Spain, China, Indonesia and the Taiwan Economic Office. Syjuco said that TESDA is determined to “broaden the impact of Tech-Voc courses, and ensure the teaching of “value-added” TESDA courses with the integration of the following “PGMA innovations -- language skills and culture orientation.” He said 37 other TESDA language institutes in various parts of the country were activated simultaneously with the Taguig City LSI launching. During the same affair, Syjuco unveiled the new acronym for overseas contract workers from OFW for Overseas Filipino Workers, to Pinoy WOW for “Workers of the World.” WOW “must be language proficient,” he added. Syjuco informed the President that “TESDA activities are in high gear” while other projects are in the incubation stage, ensuring “another banner year for TESDA.” Syjuco also regaled the President with the success stories of some TESDA student-scholars, among them a former vegetable buyer/vendor and a visually-impaired scholar who have since become call-center agents; an Ifugao housewife and a widow from Jolo, Sulu who are about to be employed by call centers. As an expression of their attitude to the President, the TESDA scholars serenaded her with their own version of Florante’s “Handog,” with the opening “Dahil sa iyo, nagkaroon ng katuparan ang aming mga pangarap…” The government has allocated P1 billion a year for the TESDA scholarship program. The President then visited three classrooms where students were being taught Chinese, Spanish and English as part of their skills training for call-center employment. The 80-hour Chinese language tranining course is being taught by instructors from the Chinese Cultural Institute of the Philippines. On the other hand, the 25 students of the English-language course undergo 100 hours of training spread over 25 days, Monday to Friday, four hours a day. This course uses a computer software program that even shows how the tongue should move as viewed from the side and the front for correct pronunciation. Meanwhile, the Spanish-language instruction totals 254 hours at four hours daily from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday through Friday. The LSI is “part of the TESDA’s bid in gearing up the world-class workers touted as Pinoy WOW.” “TESDA has recognized that labor markets within and outside the country demand know-how in speaking other languages and understanding cultural differences,” Syjuco said. He added that TESDA is “now expanding its line of service by providing proficiency not just in skills competencies but in communication as well, particularly, what is useful in the workplace to fill the requirements of local and overseas jobs.” The free language programs will also include Nihonggo, Italian and Russian. Aside from conducting language training, the LSI’s three other missions are: as a National Language Certifying Authority, as a Language Technology Research and Resource Center; and as a Trainer’s Training Center. |
| PGMA orders DILG to prioritize expansion and improvement of jails in NCR |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed today the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prioritize the expansion and
improvement of jails in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in
the cities of Caloocan and Quezon. The President issued the order to DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting this morning at Malacanang’s Premier Guest House. Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the move was to address the problem of extreme overcrowding or overcongestion in Metro Manila penitentiaries, which account for 36 percent of jail overcrowding in the country. The Quezon City jail, for instance, was built for 815 inmates but 2004 BJMP data revealed that it had some 3,400 inmates. Studies show that overcongestion in jails is a danger to health and to human life. It breeds diseases such as typhoid fever, diarrhea and other water-borne ailments especially during the rainy season as well as breaks down discipline and exacerbates tension. The DILG, of which the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is an attached agency, has said that jails in Metro Manila take in 400 times more prisoners than the official capacity. The government has projected that total jail population would reach 89,000 next year, 101,250 in 2009 and 114,930 in 2010, which is way beyond the capacity of these institutions. These figures only include municipal jails. The United Nations (UN) has prescribed that the minimum standard for treatment of a prisoner is for him to occupy three square meters. |
| Agreement to fast-track implementation of govt's AHMP signed before PGMA |
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government’s efforts to mitigate hunger in the short term and to totally
eradicate it in the long term got a big boost today when national
stakeholders in this endeavor collectively agreed to fast-track the
implementation of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP). The AHMP is the basis for pinpointing the causes of hunger and identifying appropriate programs and interventions by the national government, both in terms of the supply and demand factors. It specifies initiatives to address hunger by enhancing accessibility and availability of food and the people’s capacity to purchase food. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing of a Letter of Agreement between the National Anti-Poverty Commission led by its Chief Convenor Domingo Panganiban and Food and Agriculture Organization representative Kayzunki Tsurumi. Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Deputy Director Gil Saguitguit and Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also witnessed the signing ceremony. Under the agreement, all stakeholders promise to support the FAO’s project entitled “Support to the Implementation of the Philippines’ Hunger Mitigation Program” which represents the foreign body’s response to the AHMP. The project aims to support the following activities: 1. Conduct of Planning Workshops for the AHMP priority provinces; 2. Validation and/or updating of the AHMP provincial plans and implementation by Priority 1 (top 10 provinces with the highest levels of subsistence incidence) and Priority 2 (next 20 provinces with the highest levels of subsistence incidence) provinces; 3. Conduct of Harmonization Workshop among legislators and national government agencies in the implementation of AHMP programs and projects; 4. Launching of a compendium of national and provincial AHMP Plans and Programs; 5. Developing a monitoring and evaluation system for AHMP; and, 6. Design of ICT/Database System for AHMP monitoring. The NAPC and SEARCA, in close partnership with the National Nutrition Council (NNC-DoH) and the Anti-Hunger Task Force member agencies, will undertake relevant activities from inception of the project up to December 2007. These efforts shall be geared towards meeting the government’s target of halving hunger by 2008. |
| RP turns over chairmanship of SEANWFZ Commission to Singapore |
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With the adoption of a concrete regional Plan of Action to strengthen the
implementation of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
(SEANWFZ), the Philippines turned over today the chairmanship of the SEANWFZ
Commission to Singapore, confident of stronger ASEAN collaboration against
the proliferation of nuclear weapons. “ASEAN’s commitment to actively contribute to nuclear non-proliferation is demonstrated in the Plan of Action we have adopted,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said. “Through this Action Plan, we have sharpened the focus of our collaboration in the region for the next five years and widened opportunities for participation in international efforts against nuclear weapons proliferation,” Romulo added. Under the Action Plan, State Parties will pursue compliance with the undertakings in the SEANWFZ Treaty, including the completion of their accession to the IAEA Safety Agreements and the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident. State Parties will also consider accession to other related international instruments such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the IAEA Additional Protocol. “The threat of nuclear weapons is rightly a global concern and we in the ASEAN region recognize the need to contribute to international efforts against nuclear weapons proliferation,” Romulo said. The CTBT now awaits ratification by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Through the SEANFWZ Action Plan, State Parties also resolved to work towards holding direct consultations with the P-5 States (Five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council) and to continue working for the accession to the SEANFWZ of the P-5 States. The SEANFWZ Treaty, signed by leaders of ASEAN on Dec. 15, 1995, obligates States Parties not to develop, manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons; station nuclear weapons; or test or use nuclear weapons anywhere inside or outside the treaty zone; not to seek or receive any assistance in this; not to take any action to assist or encourage the manufacture or acquisition of any nuclear explosive device by any state; not to provide source or special fissionable materials or equipment to any non-nuclear weapon state (NNWS), or any NWS unless subject to safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA). The SEANWFZ Treaty also obligates the signatory country to prevent the stationing of any nuclear explosive device in its territory; to prevent the testing of any nuclear explosive device; not to dump radioactive wastes and other radioactive matters at sea anywhere within the zone, and to prevent the dumping of radioactive wastes and other radioactive matter by anyone in their territorial sea. The SEANWFZ Commission was convened during the 40th AMM, 10 years after the Treaty came into force, to review the operation and implementation of the Treaty. |
| Ladderized education in universities and colleges 'abolishes' school dropouts |
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Secretary Augusto Syjuco, director-general of
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), discussed
the merits of ladderized education program this morning with Malacañang
reporters during the launching of TESDA’s Language Skills Institute in
Taguig City. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has “hit on a wonderful formula with ladderized education,” said Syjuco as he explained to mediamen how the scheme works. The TESDA head said ladderized education is like a stairway, with each step a stepping stone towards the next higher level, like caregivers who graduate to nursing aides, and could then go on to college and take up Nursing, with all their previous TESDA courses credited by the college or university that they will be attending. On the other hand, he said that the traditional four-year course “is like a pipe -- if you do not finish your course in four years, you are considered a dropout…” He revealed that TESDA’s ladderized curriculum has a 98-percent awareness ratin,; and already has 73-percent acceptance by the targeted population. Syjuco also explained that the ladderized curriculum only requires that enrollees be high school graduates, while the PGMA “Training for Work” scholarship accepts any applicant regardless of educational attainment. The ladderization of all academic courses was mandated by Executive Order 358 as early as three years ago, revealed Syjuco, who noted that CHED commissioners had divided the number of universities and colleges among themselves at 21 schools per commissioner; and that one commissioner had completed ladderizing his/her 21 assigned schools of higher learning. |
| PGMA pays tribute to two Filipino world boxing champions |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded today
two Filipino world boxing champions for their exemplary performance in the
boxing field. “Welcome! Congratulations sa inyong dalawa for bringing home to the country a pride of being a Filipino champion,” the President said. The two Filipino International Boxing Federation (IBF) Mini Flyweight world champions -- Florante Condes and Nonito Donaire -- thanked the President for recognizing their achievements during their brief courtesy call on her at Malacanang’s Music Room this afternoon. The President presented to the two world boxing champions a cake- replica of a boxing ring and P100,000 to each of them as part of her cash gift for bringing pride and honor to the country. In response, the two world boxing champions showed to her their championship boxing belt. The champions were accompanied by Eric Buhain, chairman of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr., Raul Sueiro, chief operating officer for Philippine Operations and Alberto Loaina, Asian Regional chief, both from Thunderbird Resorts, Inc. Condes defeated Indonesian boxer Muhammad Rachman that secured him the IBF Mini Flyweight (105 lb.) championship belt via a split 12-round decision last July 7 at the indoor Tennis Senayan Stadium in Jakarta, earning him the title of “Little Pacquiao” from his boxing fans for his power punches and fighting heart. Donaire, in his title fight in Bridgepoft, Connecticut, United States, scored a sensational fifth-round knockout win over previously unbeaten IBF and International Boxing Organization flyweight titlist Vic Darchinyan of Australia. |
| ASEAN foreign ministers agree on creation of human rights body in ASEAN Charter |
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In a historic decision that will strengthen the
protection of human rights in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN foreign ministers,
under the chairmanship of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo,
agreed to create a human rights body under the draft ASEAN Charter. “I am pleased to announce that among the issues on which there was consensus among the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, is the inclusion of a provision in the ASEAN Charter that mandates the creation of a human rights body,” Romulo said in a statement he read before the media after chairing the ASEAN ministerial meeting retreat session that focused on the ASEAN Charter. “We (the ASEAN Foreign Ministers) have instructed the HLTF to include this provision in the draft Charter,” the Philippine official told the media. The High-Level Task Force (HLTF) assigned to prepare a draft of the ASEAN treaty briefed the ASEAN ministers this morning on the progress of their work. After the briefing, the ASEAN ministers met in retreat format to discuss the work of the HLTF. “This is a major victory for ASEAN. This is a major victory for human rights,” Romulo stressed, referring to the human rights body. “I remained firm on our position: the ASEAN Charter must provide for the creation of a human rights body,” the Secretary added. “The ASEAN Charter will now have a human rights body. This will show to the world that a people-oriented ASEAN truly cares about the rights of its peoples,” Romulo explained. “Having a human rights body will give great credibility to ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter.” “I am very grateful to the ASEAN Ministers for their strong support and for their agreement in creating a human rights body in the ASEAN Charter,” Romulo said, adding that “I would like to personally thank the ASEAN Foreign Ministers for their friendship and support, and for which I credit the success of our discussions.” “The ASEAN Foreign Ministers are also very grateful to the members of the HLTF for their work. We look forward to their next report to us,” he said. Romulo said that the ASEAN ministers will have another opportunity to receive a report on the progress of the work of the HLTF at the informal AMM on Sept. 27 at the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting in New York. |
| ASEAN calls for pullout of foreign troops in Iraq, end to Israeli-Palestinian conflict |
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The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) has called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from
Iraq to bring back normalcy to the embattled country. A joint communiqué issued by the ASEAN foreign ministers at the end of their two-day 40th Ministerial Meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), said that they were deeply concerned over the continued instability in Iraq even as they reaffirmed their support for the Baghdad government and its efforts to ensure unity, security, stability, and prosperity in Iraq. "Towards this end, we believe that the phased and calibrated withdrawal of foreign forces in Iraq, taking into account of the conditions on the ground, will contribute towards bringing normalcy," the foreign ministers said. They also welcomed the "outcomes" of the international meetings in Baghdad and Sharm El-Sheikh aimed at expediting national reconciliation and reconstruction that are crucial to the attainment of peace, security and development in Iraq. The foreign ministers likewise expressed deep concern over the volatile situation in the Middle East, saying that there is a need for substantial progress in the quest for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. "We welcomed the Quartet's reaffirmation of their commitments made in Lisbon on July 19, 2007 to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to undertake serious efforts towards the establishment of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel," the foreign ministers said. They said that this is a step towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, consistent with the Roadmap and UN Security Council resolutions. "We expressed hope that the Palestinians would be able to forge unity among themselves in pursuit of these objectives," the foreign ministers said. |
| ASEAN streamlines regular meetings |
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) has streamlined its regular meetings starting with Singapore’s turn
to host the annual ASEAN Summit and next year’s ASEAN Ministerial Meeting In a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 40th AMM at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the ASEAN foreign ministers also called on other ASEAN sectoral bodies to do the same. “It is to improve the substance of those meetings and ensure the effectiveness of its deliberations by holding all ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences Plus One sessions with our Dialogue Partners immediately after the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meetings,” the foreign ministers said. The post ministerial conferences are annual meetings between the ASEAN foreign ministers and 10 dialogue partners namely: Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, the European Union, New Zealand, Russia and the United States of America. Under the present setup, the ASEAN foreign ministers meet separately with Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, Russia and the United States every year in July. The foreign ministers of the ASEAN composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam also meet with China, Japan, South Korea and India separately during the ASEAN Summit in November each year. Aside from AMM and post ministerial conference, the Philippines also hosts the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), drawing together 27 countries which discuss the security and economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. Also joining the Manila meetings are Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea as Guests of the Chair along with other partners Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. |
| ASEAN foreign ministers air views on seven international issues |
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Foreign Ministers of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) exchanged views on seven key areas involving
regional and international issues that they consider vital to the region’s
future economic and political stability, ranging from the recently-concluded
elections Timor Leste to the Iraq war and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The views are contained in a 16-page joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). It can be accessed in the 40th AMM website, www.40amm.org.ph. The seven key international issues cited in the joint communiqué: 1. The ASEAN ministers congratulated Timor-Leste for the orderly and credible conduct of its first national elections as an independent nation this year. “We expressed confidence that the leadership of President Jose Ramos-Horta would be able to ensure the political and economic development of Timor-Leste and enable the country to further deepen its relations with its neighbors in the region, especially with ASEAN member countries,” the ASEAN ministers said. Timor-Leste sent representatives along with Papua New Guinea to observe the 40th AMM and to participate in the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum attended by 27 countries. 2. On the global trade issues being debated in the World Trade Organization, the ASEAN foreign ministers urged key members of the WTO to show the necessary leadership to hasten the negotiations toward the successful completion of the Doha Round which began with a ministerial-level meeting in Doha, Qatar in 2001. The ASEAN officials have also reiterated their support for the early accession of Laos into the WTO while congratulating Vietnam’s accession as the 150th member of the world’s regulating body for tariffs and trade. 3. The ASEAN foreign ministers also took note of ASEAN cooperation with regional organizations like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). “We (also) welcomed the interest of the League of Arab Nations to engage ASEAN and agreed to explore possible areas of cooperation between the two organizations,” they said. 4. On the Iraq war, the ASEAN foreign ministers called for a “phased and calibrated” withdrawal of foreign forces in the country that will contribute towards bringing normalcy in Iraq. 5. They also expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East, calling for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue. “We welcomed Iran’s decision to grant IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspectors access to the pilot fuel enrichment plant in Natanz and view such decision as a significant confidence-building measure on Iran’s part,” the ministers said. 6. The Ministers also stressed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula while welcoming the move of the North Korea to shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility and the decision to allow IAEA inspectors to intervene. “This positive development should be utilized as a strong drive of efforts to promote sustainable peace and security in the region. We also stressed the importance of addressing the humanitarian needs in North Korea,” the ASEAN foreign ministers said. 7. The Foreign Ministers, meanwhile, condemned the abduction and brutal killing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan and urged the immediate release of all remaining hostages. Aside from Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo as chairman of AMM, the other ASEAN foreign ministers are His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah (Brunei); Hor Namhong (Cambodia); N. Hassan Wirajuda (Indonesia); Thongloun Sisoulith (Laos); Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar (Malaysia); U Nyan Win (Myanmar); George Yong-Boon Yeo (Singapore); Nitya Pibulsonggram (Thailand); and, Pham Gia Khiem (Vietnam). |
| Aug. 8 declared ASEAN Day |
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Saying over half a billion people in the
Southeast Asian region should be the first to know the significant
achievements of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), foreign
ministers of the 10-member regional group formally agreed today to observe
Aug. 8 as ASEAN Day. “We recognize the significant achievements of ASEAN over the last forty years. We also acknowledge that the active participation and support of the ASEAN people would be necessary and essential to the continuing and strengthening of ASEAN solidarity, friendship, and cooperation towards building an ASEAN Community by 2015,” the 10 ASEAN foreign ministers said in a joint statement. The ASEAN foreign ministers agreed that there is a need to increase awareness and consciousness of ASEAN as they met on the first day of the 40th AMM at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The agreement also aims to promote and establish an ASEAN identity across the region toward attaining the higher goal of accelerating the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015. “The ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed the importance of building an ASEAN identity, promoting ASEAN awareness and bringing ASEAN into the consciousness of its people,” they said. The foreign ministers will recommend to the heads of state of the ASEAN to endorse the region-wide observance of ASEAN Day during the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore on Nov. 20. On Wednesday (Aug. 8), ASEAN will mark its 40th anniversary. From the original five, ASEAN now has 10 members, encompassing all the countries in Southeast Asia. Although the member countries have different political and ideological orientations, ASEAN has one unifying objective: to promote peace and stability in the region. ASEAN was established on Aug. 8, 1967 at the height of the Cold War by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand during their historic meeting in Bangkok where they signed the ASEAN Declaration, now known as the Bangkok Declaration. |
| Malaysia hopes GRP-MILF peace talks to continue |
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Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Seri Syed Hamid
Bin Syed Jaafar Albar said today that all is not lost in the ongoing peace
talks between the Philippine government and the secessionist Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF). In a press conference at the sidelines of the ongoing 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Albar said the Malaysian government, which is brokering the negotiations, remains hopeful of an end to the conflict despite the recent developments threatening the peace process. “With the strong commitment of the Philippine government, everything is still possible,” Albar said, referring to the keen interest of the Arroyo administration to solve the long-standing conflict in the Southern Philippines. Albar was reacting to queries on the possibility of the talks collapsing and whether Malaysia is willing to step in the wake of an impending punitive action by the Philippine military against members of the secessionist group allegedly responsible for the beheading of 10 of the 14 Marines killed during an encounter in Basilan. Without directly answering the question, Albar said there is already an International Monitoring Team to assist the Philippine side in monitoring the peace process. Malaysia heads the IMT that is implementing the agreement on the cessation of hostilities between government forces and MILF guerrillas. “You know, the best thing about peace talks, is that it should not be in the spotlight,” he pointed out. Albar said Malaysia is all for the peace, security and stability of the region. “If our neighbors are stable and prosperous, then everybody, including Malaysia, would benefit from it,” Albar said. The Malaysian foreign minister also praised the inclusion of a provision for a human rights body in the draft ASEAN Charter, describing it as a good first step. “Let us have the power to do it first. Then after that, we can have the terms of references and mechanisms that we are all taking about,” he said. |
