Departure Statement of   HON. ALBERTO G. ROMULO  
Secretary of Foreign Affairs   

On the occasion of his Official Visit to Malaysia 
for the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and its Related Meetings  
24-28 July 2006     

        As part of the Philippines’ international commitments and in pursuit of stronger relations with ASEAN, as well as other nations in the Asia Pacific, I depart today for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to head the Philippine delegation to the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences, and the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum.  
   
        For the Philippines, the highlight of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting comes at the Closing Ceremonies when we take over the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Standing Committee from Malaysia and occupy this position until July 2007.  
   
        These series of Meetings are indeed opportune and timely for the Philippines as they will serve as an avenue for us to further articulate on our vision of a “caring and sharing Community,” as well as on our significant initiatives during our Chairmanship.  
   
        During my exchanges with my counterpart, I hope to lay the groundwork for a people-centered approach in regional integration and community building, a better understanding of the significance of the proposed ASEAN Charter, a stronger awareness of the region’s identity and heritage, closer cooperation with dialogue partners, and, most importantly, greater emphasis on the centrality of the ASEAN in the context of ASEAN + 3, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and East Asian Summit (EAS).  
   
        The Philippines also intends to deepen its relations with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners through the Post-Ministerial Meetings.  The Philippines is co-Chair of the ASEAN PMC with New Zealand and the incoming country coordinator of the ASEAN PMC with Russia.
   
        I will also participate in the 4th Southwest Pacific Dialogue, hosted by Indonesia, which will be held at the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings.   
   
        During the Dialogue, the Philippines will renew its commitment to work hand in hand with six Southwest Pacific countries on meaningful initiatives on maritime cooperation and security, counter terrorism, HIV/AIDS, the spread of pandemics, emergency preparedness and culture.  
              
        At the sidelines of the Meetings, I will also reaffirm and renew ties at the personal and professional level with my counterparts in ASEAN as well as with important bilateral partners including the United States, the European Union, and Russia.     
   
        I will also meet with my counterparts in the OIC’s Committee of the Eight namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Brunei in order to add impetus to the Philippines’ interests in the Islamic Ummah.  
   
        I am confident that my visit to Malaysia will again reap fruits for the Philippines as we continue to foster goodwill and friendship with our neighbors and work on meaningful initiatives for the stability and progress of our region.  END

/jay

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