Toast Remarks of Undersecretary Edsel T. Custodio
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs

at the Diplomatic Reception on the 
Occasion of the 61^st  Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia 

17 August 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Manila Polo Club 

Your Excellency, Dr. Irzan Tandjung, Ambassador of Indonesia to the Philippines;
Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Ebrahim Al Jowaid;
Excellencies of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps;
My colleagues in government;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen: 

On behalf of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Filipino people, it is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest greetings to the Government and people of Indonesia on the occasion of the 61^st anniversary of their independence. 

This occasion comes at a very special year of intensified partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia. 

As the current ASEAN Chair, the Philippines looks forward to working with Indonesia and our other ASEAN brothers, in realizing our vision for a Caring and Sharing ASEAN community. 

Indonesia is actively working in the ASEAN Eminent Persons Group on the ASEAN charter, through the participation of its Eminent Person, former Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. Our own Eminent Person, former President Fidel V. Ramos, is working assiduously with his counterparts to produce a final document reflective of our collective aspirations for ASEAN. 

In the wider regional economic forum, we share an abiding commitment to the Bogor Goals and Busan Roadmap in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. The Philippines and Indonesia will keep the momentum going in priority areas in Economic and Technical Cooperation, Human Resources Development such as skills standardization and mutual recognition arrangements, and inter-cultural and faith dialogue on which Indonesia will host a symposium next month.        

I also wish to point out that both our countries remain firm in our quest for peace and regional stability. The Philippines reaffirms its support to the vital work of the Aceh Monitoring Mission, which has advanced the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement. 

The Philippines is also grateful for Indonesia’s key support in moving the Southern Philippines peace process forward. As Southeast Asia’s biggest country both in terms of size and population, the world’s third largest democracy, and home to the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia is in an unparalleled position to serve as a positive force not only for the region, but the entire world. 

In the past two months our countries have manifested the indispensable value of neighborly assistance in times of natural calamities. 

To our friends from Indonesia, we say on this special occasion, that we envision our countries continuing to work together for our common goals and aspirations for ASEAN and the world community. 

For ours has been a history that goes back many, many centuries. The Visayan Islands were once part of the great Sri Vijaya dynasty from Sumatra which ruled much of Southeast Asia for many centuries. We share a similar and related ethnic and linguistic background – all forming part of ASEAN’s diverse cultural tapestry.  Our countries were the leading exponents of the archipelagic doctrine, now recognized by most jurisdictions as a binding principle in international law. 

It is therefore appropriate for the Philippines to join our friends and partners in celebration on this truly happy occasion. 

And so, may I now invite you, Excellencies, friends, ladies and gentlemen, to join me in a toast: 

To the good health and continued success of His Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; 

To the lasting peace and prosperity of the people of Indonesia; and 

To the enduring ties of friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia.  

Mabuhay! 
 

/jay

(Home)