During Ambassador Ricciardone’s call today, we discussed the state of relations between our countries and reiterated our common determination to strengthen these relations.

These are relations that, as the President has stated, are more than a century old, tightened by common political tradition, by world wars fought together, by tens of thousands of brave soldiers who died in the battlefield of freedom.  On October 20, we will jointly commemorate the sacrifices and heroism of our two peoples during the 60th anniversary of the Leyte Landing.

Cooperation between our two countries continues on many other fronts.  As strategic treaty allies, joint military training exercises continue throughout the year, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism.  The RP-US Mutual Defense Board will be meeting shortly to prepare for next year’s joint military training exercises.  Cooperation will also continue over the next five years on the Philippine Defense Reform Program.

We continue our cooperation in support of our efforts in our search for peace in Mindanao, particularly in post-conflict rebuilding.

Our economic, trade and cultural relations remain robust.  Interest in the Philippines remains high and is reflected in the investment mission organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council for September.

Our relations go beyond any disagreements we may have had over the issue of Iraq.

But even on Iraq, we have far more areas of agreement.  We were together in shepherding United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, a resolution that not only laid the groundwork for the return of Iraqi sovereignty, but which also healed the divisions in the United Nations over the issue of Iraq.

We also share a common desire to remain committed to the future of Iraq.  The Philippines will continue to do what it can, within its capabilities and pursuant to its interests, in helping the people of Iraq.  The Philippines also continues to condemn the acts of terrorism in Iraq, the attacks on innocent civilians and efforts to breed intolerance and hatred.  Both our countries maintain the hope and the confidence that the Iraqi people will live free from fear and will have peace and progress.

Our meeting today symbolizes our belief that our relations remain vibrant.

As the President has stated, our peoples have enduring historical, cultural and economic ties with America personified by the three million Filipinos who live in the United States and these are relations held together by a permanent history.

Our relations continue to be strong because of the deep respect we have for each other.

Thank you.