Press Release No. 095-03
March 20, 2003
REITERATION OF COMITMENT TO TRANSLANTIC ALLIANCE IMPORTANT PILLAR
FOR GLOBAL PEACE - OPLE
The Philippines welcomes the recent reiteration by the Transatlantic Alliance
of its commitment to strengthen its alliance in the pursuit of peace.
This was stated by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople after members of
the Transatlantic Alliance met at the Azores on 16 March 2003 to reiterate
the Alliance’s commitment to work together in the name of peace and security.
“Regional alliances or arrangements that are anchored on commitments to peace
and security, contribute not only to regional but also to global stability.
It is in this context that the Philippines welcomes the reiteration by the
Transatlantic Alliance of its commitment to enhance their alliance in the
name of peace and security,” Secretary Ople said.
Secretary Ople said that the Philippines shares the core values that guide
the Transatlantic Alliance: the common commitment to democracy, freedom,
and the rule of law. The Philippines also shares in the determination of
the Transatlantic Alliance to overcome the twin threats of the 21st century:
terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
“The Philippines believes that all nations must unite to defeat these dangers.
We join the Transatlantic Alliance in the firm belief that we will not allow
differences of the moment to be exploited in ways that bring no solutions.
The Philippines also joins the Transatlantic Alliance in urging our friends
and allies to put aside differences, and work together for peace, freedom
and security,” Secretary Ople said.