Departure Statement of DR. ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines

On his Official Visit to New York, Washington, D.C. and Davos, Switzerland
17 January 2007 

            I leave today to further build on the gains we have achieved from the Philippines’ successful Chairmanship of the 12^th ASEAN Summit and the 2^nd East Asia Summit in Cebu. 

            By deepening our engagement with the United Nations, strengthening our cooperation with our traditional bilateral and development partner, and articulating in a key global forum our interfaith and intercivilizational initiatives, we are providing vital impetus to the Philippines’ vision – shared with the region’s stakeholders – of a more peaceful, secure and progressive world. 

            In New York, I will meet with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to discuss the results of the Summits in Cebu.  I shall highlight the commitment of ASEAN members to bring our cooperation and integration to a higher level through the establishment of an ASEAN Charter. 

            As we strive to bring our region closer towards the common objective of creating one integrated ASEAN community, I shall also emphasize the collective importance accorded to social justice, economic development and common security and our abiding commitment to achieve these ends.   

These cornerstones of our ASEAN Community - that has at its core the human person - were built on solid foundations with the signing of the Cebu Declaration Towards One Caring and Sharing Community, Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism, the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter. 

            I shall also discuss with Secretary General Ban the resolve of East Asia nations to work more closely together, particularly in lessening our dependence on conventional sources of energy and the steps we will be taking, as a larger region, to achieve this end.  

            The United States remains a vital partner of our nation.  While in Washington, D.C., I shall meet with key officials to discuss how we can further expand Philippines-US cooperation in defense, security and development assistance. 

            While in Washington, D.C., I will likewise brief the ASEAN Washington Committee on the results of the Cebu Summits. 

            At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, we will support the President as she speaks on ASEAN’s Economic Roadmap.  In our region’s journey towards further progress and development, the President will stress the point that no one should be left behind. 

            At the WEF, the Philippines will also speak strongly against all forms of extremism.   

Extremism takes advantage of underdevelopment and seeks to perpetrate this environment so that the social maladies of distrust and suspicion fester. 

At Davos, we will sustain our interfaith dialogue initiative and bring focused attention to our nation, ASEAN and East Asia regions’ efforts to bring diverse peoples closer together in respect and understanding through enlightened dialogue. 

We shall carry President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s ringing message made at the end of the 12^th ASEAN and the East Asia Summits: together, we shall build “more prosperous and safer communities, a region of peace and stability, and a world of goodwill and friendships of all creeds, colors and cultures.” 

Thank you. END

/jay

(Home)