Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today welcomed the statement of support issued by the European Union in response to the quick and bloodless resolution of the Makati Incident and said that the EU statement of support is the latest in a number of confirmations received by the Philippine government of the stability and leadership of the Philippines.

The European Union Friday said it welcomed the Philippine government's quelling of an attempted coup by soldiers in the heart of Manila's financial district last weekend.

“I would like to thank the Italian Presidency and the members of the European Union for their statement in support of our government.  This EU statement is the latest confirmation of the confidence the international community has in the Philippines and shows that the Makati Incident did nothing to shake the confidence they have in the Philippines and its leadership,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary said that the statement of support by the European Union should show that reports that put into question the international standing of the Philippines in relation to its bid for a seat in the United Nations Security Council were baseless (please see related DFA Press Release).

“A few days before the current Italian Presidency of the European Union issued their statement of support, I had met with Ambassador Umberto Colesanti, the Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines, to discuss with him the views that the countries of the European Union might have on the Makati Incident,” the Secretary said.

“Ambassador Colesanti assured me that the members of the European Union were one in expressing their continued confidence in the stability of the Philippines and the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  Ambassador Colesanti also told me that in a matter of a few days, the European Union would be issuing a statement to this effect.  I expressed my gratitude to Ambassador Colesanti then and I would like to express our thanks to the European Union for their confidence and support,” the Secretary said.

"We congratulate the Philippine government on their prompt reaction to restore order," the European Union's Italian Presidency said in a statement. The EU also said it welcomed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to set up an independent inquiry to look into the failed mutiny. END.