PRESS RELEASE
Department of Foreign Affairs
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No. 298; 18 June 2003

INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA REITERATE COMMITMENT TO PEACE IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES -OPLE

Indonesia and Malaysia have reiterated their commitment to do what they can to help bring peace to the Southern Philippines.  Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople held separate meetings with Indonesian Foreign Minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda and Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar at the sidelines of the 36th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

"Both foreign ministers not only reiterated their commitment to help bring peace to the Southern Philippines but also acknowledged the important steps that the Philippines has been taking in the name of peace and development," Secretary Ople said.

The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held on 16-17 June 2003.  This will be followed by the ASEAN Regional Forum and by the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences.

"We are at a critical point in our search for lasting and meaningful peace in the Southern Philippines," the Secretary said.

"Indonesia, as Chairman of the Committee of the Eight of the OIC, has led efforts to bring peace between the Philippines and the MNLF.  These efforts are close to fruition as we continue to fully implement our 1996 peace agreement.  For its part, Malaysia has taken the lead in helping us address the situation with the MILF.  Both countries have been our close partners for peace and we deeply appreciate their continuing efforts," he added. END