DFA Releases

Secretary Del Rosario Meets with Timor-Leste Foreign Minister José Luís Guterres

Friday, 22 February 2013 19:34
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SFA-FM Timor Leste 6

22 February 2013 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario held bilateral talks today, February 22, with his Timor-Leste counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Luís Guterres.

SFA-FM Timor Leste 2

The two Foreign Ministers discussed ways on further enhancing cooperation, particularly in the areas of education, defense, technical cooperation, and possible opportunities for trade and investment.

SFA-FM Timor Leste 3

Secretary del Rosario noted the significant number of Timor-Leste students pursuing higher education in Philippine universities in accordance with the MOU on Academic Cooperation signed in 2008. The Secretary told Minister Guterres that the Philippines has a lot to offer in terms of English language and teacher training education.

The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on regional developments. Minister Guterres highlighted Timor-Leste’s campaign for ASEAN membership. Secretary del Rosario said the Philippines looks forward to welcoming Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family.

SFA-FM Timor Leste 4

SFA-FM Timor Leste 5Minister Guterres also paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III. They discussed South-South cooperation between the two countries. The President also invited Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to visit the Philippines at a mutually convenient date.

Minister Guterres assumed his post in August 2012 following the formation of the 5th Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste. Prior to this, Minister Guterres served as Deputy Prime Minister and was concurrently Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. END

 

 

Philippines, Japan Successfully Conclude 2nd Dialogue on Maritime and Oceanic Affairs

Friday, 22 February 2013 16:11
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PHL-Japan Dialogue

22 February 2013 - The Philippines and Japan held today, February 22, the Second Dialogue on Maritime and Oceanic Affairs to explore various areas of cooperation in the maritime sector focusing on maritime safety and security.

The Philippine delegation was headed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Gilberto G.B. Asuque as Chair and DFA Special Assistant Henry Bensurto as Co-chair. The Japanese delegation was led by Mr. Kenji Kanasugi, Deputy Director-General for Southwest and Southeast Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The two countries exchanged views on programs and actions to promote cooperation in the maritime field, particularly in maritime security, freedom of navigation and safety at sea. They also exchanged views on regional maritime issues and shared the best practices in efforts to combat piracy, especially on the maritime law enforcement capabilities of countries near piracy-prone areas.

The Philippines welcomed Japan’s continued support in the capacity-building program of the Philippine Coast Guard. The Philippines and Japan also recognized the need to further strengthen the cooperation between their defense authorities. Both delegations shared the view that the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (WPS/SCS) issue is a matter of great interest for the international community as it relates to regional peace and stability as a key factor for the economic progress of the coastal states.

The Philippines and Japan stressed that the WPS/SCS issue should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS. During the Dialogue, the Philippines, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, thanked the Government of Japan, through the Japan Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for facilitating the invitation to the Philippines to participate in the preparatory conference for the proposed North Pacific Fisheries Commission. END

 
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