Press Release No.
030-03
26 January 2003
ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET EUROPEAN
UNION COUNTERPARTS; SECRETARY OPLE TO HOLD SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH EUROPEAN
FOREIGN MINISTERS
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople arrived in Brussels today to join
his fellow ASEAN foreign ministers in meeting with the foreign ministers
of the European Union. This time, Belgium is hosting the 14th Meeting of
the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting on 27-28 January 2003. While in the Belgian
capital, which also plays permanent host to the headquarters of the European
Union, Secretary Ople will have bilateral meetings with a number of foreign
ministers from the European Union.
Upon his arrival in Brussels, even before the actual start of the Ministerial
Meeting, Secretary Ople and the ASEAN foreign ministers, together with the
ASEAN Ambassadors in Brussels, meet to finalize their positions before their
meeting with the European foreign ministers beginning tomorrow.
The ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting comes at a critical time in international
affairs, as it will convene on the day that the UN Security Council is slated
to receive the report of Mr. Hans Blix, Head of the UN weapons inspectors
in Iraq.
“I anticipate that the Iraq issue, as well as the situation in the Korean
Peninsula will take center stage during this ministerial meeting. It will
be important for all of us to renew our commitment to seeking a peaceful
solution to these issues, while at the same time reiterating our call for
all sides to respect their obligations under the U.N. Charter and international
law,” Secretary Ople said.
Secretary Ople also believes that the meeting in Brussels will provide an
opportune time for the ASEAN foreign ministers to hold consultations on Iraq
and the Korean Peninsula, saying that “…I fully intend to suggest to my fellow
ASEAN foreign ministers to get together and to seriously consider what ASEAN
can do to help bring about a peaceful solution as well as to discuss how
best to cooperate in minimising the effects of any adverse development…”.
“On the sides of the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, I will also be having
bilateral talks with key players in the Iraqi issue, particularly with the
U.K., France and Germany. France currently chairs the U.N. Security Council
while Germany will chair the UN Security Council next month. I intend to
convey to them our concerns for the long-term stability of the Middle East,
for only in a truly stable Middle East can our 1.4 million workers can be
safe and the global supply of oil secure,” Secretary Ople added.
Secretary Ople will also meet other European foreign ministers to update
them on the developments in the Philippines, including developments relating
to the peace and order situation in the country.
“The countries of the European Union has continued to express interest in
developments in our country and are eager to contribute in any way they can
to our development and to attaining lasting peace. I will again discuss with
them how best we can cooperate to achieve these ends, “
Secretary Ople said.
“There has been no fundamental change in circumstances since I was last in
Europe with regard to Mr. Sison and the NPA as terrorists. If anything, Mr.
Sison continues to direct the terrorist activities of the NPA. His activities
must first stop if our peace talks with the NDF is to have any hope. Their
terrorism label is something that they earned for themselves. They have been
defined by their very actions. It is still my hope that it is also something
that they can disown so that the
search for meaningful peace can continue,” Secretary Ople added. END