16 October 2003, Putrajaya, Malaysia – Determined to promote peace and stability by building greater understanding and tolerance between peoples of different beliefs, religions, traditions and history, the Philippines and Iran today reiterated their commitment to remain partners in promoting the Dialogue Among Civilizations.  This common commitment was made today by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Mohammad Khatami during a meeting they held at the sidelines of the 10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.  ARMM Governor Parouk Hussin was among the officials who accompanied the President during her meeting.

“Both Presidents agreed that differences in history and civilization should not be allowed to breed conflict.  They agreed to continue to work together to help encourage dialogue among civilizations,” Secretary Ople said after the bilateral meeting with the Iranian leader.  The Philippines and Iran held last August their First Bilateral Conference on Dialogue Among Civilizations.  Secretary Ople said that dialogue among civilizations would provide the opportunity to take the peoples of the world to a higher level of humanity.

“A sustained dialogue will ensure an environment that will be conducive to a greater understanding among peoples, and will show to the world that terrorism and fanaticism are aberrations that must be eradicated,” the Secretary said, reiterating what he said in his keynote address during the August conference.

The concept of a dialogue of civilizations was an initiative launched by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in September 1998 as a means to prevent the outbreak of hostilities because of cultural cleavages or historical animosities.   The United Nations adopted the initiative and declared the year 2001 as the UN Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations.  President Khatami also offered Iran’s for support for the Philippine initiative to establish an Inter-Faith Council in the United Nations.

Referring to the situation in the Southern Philippines, Secretary Ople said that President Khatami gave President Arroyo Iran’s full support for her efforts at achieving peace and stability in Mindanao.  “President Khatami said that Iran understood the situation and supports the efforts of our President in seeking peace in Mindanao.  This is a ringing endorsement of an important Islamic country for our efforts to deal with the Muslim secessionists in Mindanao,” Secretary Ople said.

“President Khatami also expressed his strong support for our OIC Observer bid.  He said that it is important for the OIC to acknowledge the efforts of the Philippines with regard to the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF.  He said that it is time for the Philippines to be an Observer in the OIC,” Secretary Ople said. “President Arroyo, in turn, thanked President Khatami for his support and said that the success of the 1996 peace agreement can be largely credited to the dedicated efforts of the OIC at achieving peace.  She said that this is a diplomatic triumph for the OIC,” Secretary Ople said.  END.