Manila, 13 February – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert leaves Sunday for Cambodia to start a five-day, three-nation visit from 15 – 20 February that also includes Laos and Myanmar. This is the second Southeast Asian swing of the Secretary, who is continuing with her round of courtesy calls on her counterparts in the ASEAN.
 
“My visits to Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar will focus not only on strengthening our bilateral relations with these countries, but they will also give due importance to ASEAN which, as a regional organization, is moving forward with its plan to establish a stronger ASEAN community,” Secretary Albert said.

“Our ultimate goal as members of the organization is to build the foundation of a stronger ASEAN community to eventually become a part of a larger East Asian community. We can accomplish this task if we strengthen our organization not only on a bilateral basis but also in the regional level,” she added.

In Cambodia, Secretary Albert is scheduled to make a courtesy call on a number of senior officials, including Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. She will also meet with her counterpart, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and the Acting Head of State and President of the Senate, Mr. Samdech Chea Sim.

In Laos, the Secretary will call on both Foreign Minister S. Lengsavad, and Prime Minister Bounhang Vorachith. She will also meet with Vice President Choumally Sayasone. In Myanmar, Secretary Albert will meet with Foreign Minister U Win Aung and Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.

“Our relations with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have remained strong through these years and will, I believe, be further enhanced by my visits. I look forward to meeting with my counterparts and other officials of these countries to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern as well as solicit their views on other important matters, including our participation as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council,” Secretary Albert said. END.