7 October 2003, ASEAN Summit, Bali, Indonesia – The Philippines and Thailand reiterated their commitment to cooperate in ensuring their energy and food security.  This commitment was made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN Summit in Bali, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, who spoke to reporters after the meeting.

During the meeting, Energy Secretary Vicente Perez discussed the areas where the Philippines and Thailand can cooperate.  One area Secretary Perez focused on was that of regional fuel storage.  Secretary Perez explained that the Philippines and Thailand are excellent and natural partners for this undertaking, as both are heavily dependent on external sources for its oil and petroleum supplies.  Secretary Perez pointed out that setting up effective mechanisms to provide a better guarantee of uninterrupted access to petroleum supplies at reasonable prices would benefit the energy security of both countries as well as the other members of ASEAN.

Both leaders welcomed the idea of concluding a bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Thailand to establish a regional petroleum hub in the Philippines and instructed their respective energy ministers to immediately begin discussions on this matter.

On food security, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas briefed Prime Minister Thaksin on possible areas of agricultural cooperation.  The two leaders agreed to continue to strengthen their cooperation on agriculture.

Both leaders also acknowledged the particular sensitivities of their respective agricultural sectors.  Prime Minister Thaksin agreed to exercise more flexibility in addressing some of the concerns of the Philippines in the areas of sugar and rice.

Prime Minister Thaksin took the opportunity to congratulate President Arroyo for the strong support that the Philippines has received in its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.  Both leaders agreed to continue their close cooperation in multilateral fora. END.