Jakarta, 6 February -Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert called on Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the Presidential Palace today in the course of her official visit to Indonesia.

The Filipino top diplomat, the first lady Foreign Minister of the Philippines and in the history of ASEAN, conveyed to the Indonesian President the congratulations of the Philippine Government for Jakarta's successful co-hosting of the Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation held in Bali from 3-5 February. She also congratulated President Megawati for having successfully co-chaired the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit held in Tokyo last December.

Secretary Albert's visit to Indonesia marked the start of her round of courtesy calls on her ASEAN counterparts, a tradition and practice being followed by newly appointed ASEAN Foreign Ministers. Her call on President Megawati is one of the main activities of her short but fruitful visit to Indonesia.

"The close relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia is reflective of the warm friendship between President Megawati and President Arroyo, two remarkable women who share many things in common and who are both leading their respective countries towards the path of economic growth and prosperity," she said.

Secretary Albert also conveyed to President Megawati her observation on the growing and influential role of women in contemporary society.

"I believe that today's women have successfully empowered themselves to the point where their abilities, skills, and competence are being fully recognized and utilized," she said.

"In many countries of the world, women have occupied responsible positions in the government and the private sector. Chile, for example. has lady ministers for foreign affairs and the defense portfolio. The present Cabinet of President Arroyo has nine (9) female members, which is a greater number and proportion unlike in the past," Secretary Albert said.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, who was present in the meeting, shared the same view, pointing out that in the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, almost fifty (50) percent of the examinees who recently qualified to become foreign service officers are women.

After her call, Secretary Albert proceeded to visit the ASEAN Secretariat, where she met with officials and staff led by Deputy Secretary General Wilfrido Villacorta. She also visited the Philippine Ambassador's residence in Jakarta, which is currently being constructed. Upon being informed that construction is expected to be finished in a few months, Secretary Albert said that she will work to ensure that the residence will showcase Filipino creative and artistic talent.

Secretary Albert climaxed her whirlwind visit to Indonesia with a visit to the Philippine Embassy, where she met and had lunch with the leaders of the Filipino community. The untiring lady foreign minister left Jakarta for Singapore in the afternoon to start the final leg of her five- day official trip. Her visit to Singapore is also expected to boost ties between Manila and the city-state. END