Abu Dhabi – The United Arab Emirates has reiterated its full support to the Philippine Government in its search for a just, lasting, and meaningful peace in Mindanao and has pledged to back the country’s efforts to obtain Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.

This was the assurance received by Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert during her bilateral meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Rashid Al Nuaimi at the start of her official visit to the UAE on 6 April 2004.

“I expressed our firm commitment to abide by the agreements reached between the GRP and the MNLF as part of our efforts to bring peace and development in Mindanao,” the Secretary said.

“Minister Al Nuaimi assured me of his government’s continued support in this endeavor. He also welcomed Turkey’s invitation to the Philippines to attend the 31st Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul and pledged to back our efforts to secure Observer Status in the OIC,” she added.

The United Arab Emirates has assisted Filipino Muslims in Mindanao and in other areas of the Philippines through education and scholarship grants, as well as by financing the construction and maintenance of mosques / madrasas (schools) and Islamic Centers. The Philippines is a beneficiary of humanitarian assistance from the UAE through the Sheikh Zayed Foundation, which financed the construction of a mosque in Jolo in the amount of US$ 2 million.

Secretary Albert also took the opportunity to convey the appreciation of the Philippine Government for the UAE’s support for its successful election to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2004-2005. The United Arab Emirates was a member of the Asian bloc at the UN that endorsed the Philippines for the UNSC seat.

“I informed Foreign Minister Al Nuaimi that the Philippines will be chairing the UN Security Council in June and I consider this privilege as a great and distinctive honor for our country,” she said.

After her meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the Secretary met with the officers of the Philippine Business Council to whom she conveyed the strong desire of the Philippines to intensify and expand trade and investment relations, tourism cooperation, and manpower training and exchanges with the UAE.

“To boost our economic diplomacy efforts, I extended an invitation for UAE trade and investment missions to the Philippines. I stressed the importance of bolstering our trade and investment relations and the need for greater cooperation between our two countries’ respective chambers of commerce and industry. I am confident that I was able to clearly convey my message to the UAE businessmen and challenge them to visit and invest in the Philippines,”  Secretary Albert said. END.