7 October 2003, ASEAN Summit, Bali, Indonesia – Building on her leadership role in regional cooperation in the fight against terror, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pushed for intensified regional cooperation in the fight against terror during the 9th ASEAN Summit Meeting in Bali, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, who spoke to reporters at a short break during the morning session of the first day of the two-day Summit.

“The President reiterated the need to strike at terrorism on two levels. She told the gathered leaders of ASEAN that operational cooperation must be enhanced while at the same time the root causes of terrorism must also be addressed,” Secretary Ople said.

“There was overwhelming agreement during the Summit for this two-pronged approach in the war against terror.  The ASEAN leaders offered different and specific ways to enhance economic cooperation on a broad level as well as on a specific target area,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Ople added that the President emphasized the need to build on the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area) to ensure that it can be an engine for economic growth.  Secretary Ople said that  “the BIMP-EAGA is an important forum for cooperation that actually focuses on an area where terrorists try to exploit poverty and underdevelopment.”

“On operational cooperation, the President expressed her appreciation to Brunei for acceding to the regional counter-terrorism agreement initiated by the Philippines,” the Secretary said.
“The President referred to the recent kidnapping incident in Sabah that may involve perpetrators or victims from the Philippines and Malaysia.  She said that this incident will be an important test of the regional counter-terrorism agreement,” the Secretary added.  The sub-regional fight against terrorism got a major boost Monday when Brunei Darussalam acceded to the Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communication Procedures as ASEAN leaders prepared to begin their 9th summit meeting in Bali.
Brunei joined the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia in this Agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation, collaboration, and coordination in the fight against terror.
The Philippines initiated discussions and negotiations of the Agreement with Malaysia and Indonesia immediately after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

The Agreement was signed on 07 May 2002 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.  Cambodia acceded to the Agreement at the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 2002, while Thailand acceded at the fringes of the 8th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in November of the same year.  Many countries, including some from outside the region, have expressed interest in acceding to the Agreement.

“During the meeting, Prime Minister Mahathir told the gathered leaders of ASEAN that Malaysia was determined to cooperate with the Philippines in addressing transborder crimes and terrorism.  This was a commitment that was expressed in the highest political forum in the region and is a clear manifestation of Malaysia’s strong desire to work with us to address the common dangers that face our nations,” the Secretary said. END.