17 April 2004, Kildare, Ireland – To build on the goodwill generated between the two lady foreign ministers at their initial meeting in Geneva, Switzerland during the High-Level Commission on Human Rights last month, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert held a bilateral meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Leila Freivalds at the fringes of the 6th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM-FMM) on 17 April 2004 in Kildare, Ireland.

“As core members of the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM), the Philippines and Sweden are working closely to place international migration issues and the protection of migrants’ rights on the global agenda,” Secretary Albert said. The Philippines is a Core Group member of the GCIM and is actively involved in international efforts to protect and promote the rights of migrants.

Albert congratulated Sweden for hosting the first GCIM meeting in Stockholm in February 2004, which was attended by DOLE Secretary Patricia Sto. Thomas. Swedish FM Freivalds appreciated the Philippines’ active participation in the GCIM and its offer to host the next regional meeting of the GCIM in the Philippines.

“Migration is extremely important for us due to the growing number of Filipino communities overseas and their significant contributions to the national economy,” Albert told FM Freivalds. Albert said that the Philippines was also keen to pursue international initiatives that suppress trafficking in women and children and protect their rights. The Secretary noted that the Philippines and Sweden are co-sponsors of the ASEM initiative to combat human trafficking.

Secretary Albert updated the Swedish Foreign Minister on the Philippines’ efforts to comply with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on anti-money laundering. She said that the Philippines has now appropriate measures in place to combat money laundering, such as the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2003.

Since the Philippines is still on the FATF’s list of non-cooperative countries, Secretary Albert sought the support of Sweden to help de-list the Philippines. The current chairman of the FATF is a Swedish national.

Both ministers also agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in the information and communications technology sectors. END.