Your Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps, Colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ladies and Gentlemen:
 

Introduction:

In the world of fast-breaking developments, crisis upon crisis and information overload, clarity in communicating policies, actions and intentions are at a premium.

In a world overwhelmed by data, news and information, articulating our policies and how we see our place in this world, in  a clear and unambiguous manner is an imperative. For our shrinking global community creates bigger risks of misunderstanding. We owe it to our friends and allies to let them know where we stand.

I believe our foreign policy can be characterized by its clearness.  The President and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs have stated and articulated our policies in a clear, firm and timely manner. And we hope to continue to do so.

This briefing provides an opportunity for us to do this by sharing with you what we have accomplished and what we hope to achieve. Our Undersecretaries will elaborate on their respective assigned areas of responsibilities and I invite and encourage you to ask them questions after.

But perhaps just as importantly, this is also a chance for us to thank you for your continued support, interest and understanding.

For it is with your support, interest and understanding that we were able to reach new heights in our foreign policy last year and as we continue to pursue our national interests in three main areas of concern, namely, 1) national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, 2) economic development, 3) welfare of the Filipinos overseas.
 

1.   National Security

A. Peace Process

Let me start on the peace process.  Our peace processes are on track. We are very thankful for the firm commitment for its success. We will continue to work  closely with Indonesia and the other members of the OIC Committee of the Eight to further consolidate our MNLF peace agreement, with Malaysia on the MILF and with Norway on the NDF. We are thankful for the support of the OIC members, the EU, the US, Japan, Canada, Australia and others, for economic cooperation programs that help address the roots of discontent, particularly in conflict and post conflict areas.

B. Maritime Security and Trade

Terrorists have lost ground; tolerance and dialogue are overcoming extremism. We will work within existing fora and explore new ones in our determination to wipe out the scourge of terrorism. Our strategic alliances will be geared towards addressing this threat. We have launched an initiative to make our region safer, particularly for the pressing needs of trade.

C. Regional Peace

We are committed to regional and global peace and stability. We continue to address the conflicting claims in the South China Sea. We find ourselves in the region where the world’s top flashpoints are to be found, and note that all of them have a decidedly nuclear dimension. We have a stake in the peaceful resolution of differences on the Korean peninsula, across the Taiwan Straits, in south Asia and west Asia.

We are dedicated to the continued integration of our region and to the strengthening of international institutions. In doing so, we make conflict less likely and place greater emphasis on cooperation.

D. World Responsibilities

We are likewise committed to helping address the serious security and humanitarian needs of our friends. We have lost brave men in Aceh and Liberia, but this will not alter our resolve. We hope to maintain our humanitarian contingent in Iraq while at the same time working for a greater role for the United Nations in the future of Iraq.
 

Thanks to your support, we will be in a better position to do all this as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Our term will be characterized by a willingness to consult and dialogue.   I look forward to working with you on particular issues before the Council.

E. Regional Cooperation

We also intend to widen the horizons of our cooperation.  In a few days, we will be welcoming the participants to the Second FEALAC ministerial meeting.  We  hope that our hosting of this meeting will help build bridges between 32 countries from East Asia and Latin America to enhance our political, cultural and economic cooperation.
 
 

2. Economic Development

Cooperation in trade and investment remains a high priority for the Philippines.  Our economic interests converge with our foreign policy when we continue to promote a global trading region that is equitable and effective for both rich and poor nations.  In terms of development assistance, we will continue to tap the resources of our traditional allies and explore new sources, with specific focus on Mindanao.

We will continue to seek market access for our products, particularly for our agricultural and electronic exports.  We will continue to fight barriers to trade. In the WTO, we will continue to align our voices with those who continue to pursue globalization's unfulfilled promise.
 

3. Overseas Filipinos

The ease of movement that has spurred globalization has also meant that solely conventional notions of territory can no longer define the Philippines as a nation.  Our interests lie wherever Filipinos are.  Many of you host our countrymen and we thank you for offering them your protection and hospitality.  Their stay in your countries has been generally without major incident and mutually beneficial to the Philippines and to your countries.  We will act with dispatch whenever our overseas Filipinos need our help and we will deeply appreciate your cooperation and understanding.  In a few months our overseas Filipinos will carry out the most sacred exercise that democracy provides.  They shall freely choose who shall lead them.  I thank you for your support for this process.

We will actively support every initiative that will promote the rights and welfare of our migrants.  We will also exert every effort to prevent illicit trafficking of humans and to support the advancement of women.  Last week, I addressed a group of women in Mindanao and I am more convinced of the need to advance their interests and their own ability to help bring about change, to help bring about peace.

I am quickly realizing that very little can prepare one for the challenges of this office.  But I find strength and inspiration in the vision and dedication of Secretary Blas F. Ople.  He was committed to serving the Filipino people.  He relished his work and took sincere pleasure in his every interaction with the diplomatic community.  Much of what we have achieved was a direct result of his leadership and wisdom.

I hope to build on what Secretary Ople has started based on the framework provided by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

I look forward to a fruitful working partnership with you.