Your   Excellency, Ambassador Pieter Vermeulen,
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Salem Adam,
Distinguished Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Colleagues in Government,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great honor and privilege to be with you on this joyous occasion, as we celebrate the 12th Anniversary of Freedom Day of the Republic of South Africa.

Our presence here tonight is a reaffirmation of our commitment to a more active engagement with our African partners, in support of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, which the Philippines and South Africa pledged to pursue at the Asia-Africa Summit in Indonesia in April last year.

Indeed, tonight is a most special occasion because we are gathered together to celebrate not only South Africa's Freedom Day; we also celebrate the opening of the new Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the Philippines, and welcome the first South African Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Ambassador Pieter Vermeulen.

I am confident that South Africa's presence in our country augurs a newfound dynamism in our bilateral relations.

Without a doubt, the Philippines endeavors to strengthen linkages between the two great continents of Asia and Africa, and at the same time, enhance relations between our two nations.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the Republic of South Africa on November 1, 1993,  our two countries have enjoyed warm and cordial relations. In fact, South Africa is the biggest trading partner of the Philippines in the entire African region.

We are committed to support each other, not only in  bilateral fora,  but also in the multilateral  arena.  The people of the Philippines and of the Republic of South Africa both share the  same aspirations for development and world peace.  I am confident that our partnership will continue to move forward towards higher levels of cooperation.

As the Philippines and South Africa work together towards opening doors in the political, economic and cultural spheres, I hope that our efforts will effectively contribute to greater understanding between our two nations and strengthen the common bonds that unite us in the universal pursuit of peace and development for our peoples.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, on this auspicious night of friendship and cooperation, and as we commemorate the 12th Anniversary of its Freedom Day, I wish the Republic of South Africa and her people continued success, peace and prosperity in the years to come.

Again, Mr. Ambassador, welcome to the Philippines; welcome to Manila, your new home. I look forward to working closely with you as we face the bright prospects that the future holds, and keep alive the Bandung Spirit of the Asia-Africa Summit.

On this note, may I invite you all to join me in a toast to the continued good health of President Thabo Mbeki, to the renewed commitment between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of South Africa, and to the sustained strategic partnership between Asia and Africa.

Mabuhay!