I am very grateful to the Government of the State of Kuwait for the invitation to make this official visit.

I had very fruitful discussions with The Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; The Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; the Prime Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Al-Salem Al-Sabah; and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, His Excellency Meshari Al Anjeri.
 
In these discussions, we were able to exchange views principally to further deepen and strengthen the already strong and beneficial relationship between the Philippines and Kuwait that were developed through twenty five years of diplomatic relations.

Kuwait is host to over 100,000 Filipinos in this State, of which about forty percent are skilled workers.   The other sixty percent are non-skilled workers.   Most of the Kuwaitis have first hand relationship with the Filipinos, both professionally and personally,  extending to them the hospitality of the land.   Kuwaiti officials appreciate the valuable contributions of our Filipino workers to the Kuwaiti community especially to the economic progress of the State.
 
I brought up with the Kuwaiti officials the status of the cases against some Filipino workers pending before Kuwaiti courts.    These cases are being addressed in accordance with the judicial process in Kuwait.  In appropriate cases, the Tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness by the family of the victim are worked out.

In my talks with The Amir, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, I conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government for the investments of Kuwait including the Amanah Bank, the only muslim bank in the Philippines.   Kuwait is also investing in the Philippine economic zones in Clark and Subic and in the energy sector specifically in the Malampaya oil and gas exploration zone.

We also discussed the exchange of trade missions between the Philippines and Kuwait in order to better acquaint ourselves and our businessmen in the private sector of the potential opportunities in both countries.

I expressed the sincere gratitude of the Philippine Government for the continued support of Kuwait for the Philippine bid for Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.  I informed the The Amir, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister on the status of the peace process in Southern Philippines.   I stressed to the Kuwaiti officials that the Philippine Government hopes to sign this year the Peace Agreement with the MILF that would bring lasting peace and understanding with our brother muslim Filipinos in Mindanao.

We also discussed the all important Interfaith Dialogue, which the Philippines has sponsored in the United Nations and in regional conferences such as the Interfaith Dialogue in Cebu last April.  Through this Dialogue, we could better understand each religion and appreciate the fact that each religion is tolerant and is for peace in the community.  And if there are extremists, that is precisely what they are.  They remain in the fringes of all religions for peace.  Of course, we are all together in the struggle against those who are disturbing the peace of the world contrary to the teachings and practice of the Islam and Christian faiths and other faiths.

It has been a very friendly and productive official visit.   Our discussions have indeed opened new avenues for greater cooperation between the Philippines and Kuwait particularly in trade, investments and labor.

I have extended to His Highness The Amir the invitation of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to visit the Philippines.

I will be submitting a full report to President Arroyo on the results of my official visit to Kuwait upon my return to the Philippines on Wednesday, 10 May 2006.  END
 
 

(Note: Please refer to the accompanying photo releases on the meetings of Secretary Romulo, dated 9 May 2006.)