12 August 2003 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo-Albert today highlighted the role of ASEAN as a mechanism for achieving regional integration and enhanced cooperation, especially in the area of trade and economics.  Secretary Albert spoke before members of the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) at their regular breakfast forum held at the Ristorante La Dolce Fontana in Greenhills this morning, where she delivered a policy speech entitled “Structure, Content, Form and Substance and the Three Pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy.”

The MOPC breakfast forum had for its guests local and foreign Media practitioners, Ambassadors and other representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.  Responding to a question from Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland on the evolution of the ASEAN into an East Asian Community anchored on China, Japan and Korea, Secretary Albert said that, as a founding member, the Philippines fully supports the vision for a more united and integrated ASEAN community, working together towards economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.

The Secretary said that the ASEAN ties with its “plus three” dialogue partners are being amplified especially in the arena of trade.  “Our relationships with Japan, China and Korea, who are our immediate neighbors will be further strengthened…As you know, ASEAN is concluding an ASEAN-China Free Trade Area which is being negotiated at the moment.  The Philippines is (also) undertaking one with Japan, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.  And these developments have been going on,” Secretary Albert said.

“ASEAN is one of the eight foreign policy realities identified by the President and she has said that more and more, Philippine foreign policy decisions have to be made in the context of ASEAN,” Secretary Albert added.
 
Secretary Albert elaborated that these developments are a fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations upon which ASEAN was founded. She explained that in the Bali Concord II, the ASEAN established the vision of an ASEAN Community composed  of three pillars, namely: (1) the ASEAN Security Community; (2) the ASEAN Economic Community; and (3) the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Under the Second Pillar, the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN economic Integration has made recommendations on eleven priority areas for increased ASEAN economic integration.  The roadmap for fast tracking these priority integration areas will be discussed and finalized during the ASEAN economic ministers’ meeting this September and would then be presented for approval to the ASEAN Heads of State during the ASEAN Summit this November.  END.