Islamabad, 1 June 2004 – In a visit reminiscent of the high level of cooperation between the Philippines and Pakistan in the 1950s and the 1960s, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today secured the assurance of Pakistan that it will take a positive view on the participation of the Philippines in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). This was the result of the bilateral meeting between Secretary Albert and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri held at the Foreign Ministry. The Secretary is currently on an official visit to Pakistan.

Secretary Albert said that Pakistan has expressed goodwill for the Philippine bid for observer status in the OIC.

“Foreign Minister Kasuri assured me that Pakistan will consider very sympathetically our application in view of the strong relations existing between the two countries and because of the consistent and unconditional support we gave to Pakistan’s successful campaign to gain membership in the ASEAN Regional Forum,” said the Secretary. “However, he also suggested an alternative method for the Philippines to be involved in the OIC. This mechanism is similar to the dialogue partnership status granted to several countries in the ARF,” she added.

“I conveyed to him our appreciation for Pakistan’s willingness for the Philippines to be associated with the OIC. He also expressed satisfaction that significant progress has been made by the Philippines in its efforts to attain peace and development in Mindanao,” Secretary Albert said.
 
In a meeting that lasted more than an hour, the two foreign ministers agreed to continue the momentum generated by the 2nd Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consultations held in Manila in April this year by giving priority to the proposed agreements and areas of collaboration identified, such as the Philippine proposed cultural exchange program with Pakistan and the early signing of the proposed visa waiver agreement for diplomatic passport holders from both countries.

In recognition of Pakistan’s role in the global war on terrorism, Secretary Albert informed Foreign Minister Kasuri that the Philippines looks forward to the early signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Combating Terrorism and Certain Other Crimes proposed by Pakistan.

“Our two countries recognize fully the threat posed by terrorism to regional and international security. Having a counter-terrorism agreement with Pakistan, together with other countries in the region, will allow greater coordination by our intelligence communities and facilitate the exchange of information and establishment of communication procedures that are necessary to neutralize this threat,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Albert also welcomed the proposal by Pakistan to strengthen the bilateral relationship with the Philippines in the area of defense cooperation.
 
“Pakistan has conveyed its desire for more training exchanges and high level defense visits between our two countries. I welcomed this suggestion as these visits and military training exchanges greatly enhance friendship and contribute to confidence building efforts between our two regions,” the Secretary said.
 
The two foreign ministers also discussed other areas of cooperation, including peacekeeping, in which Pakistan has a long track record. According to the Secretary, Pakistan, which is one of the largest troop contributors to peacekeeping in the UN, can assist the Philippines in the form of training and exchanges.

 
Secretary Albert expressed satisfaction over her discussions with Foreign Minister Kasuri, whom she met for the first time, and whom she will meet again at the forthcoming OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul.
 
“My visit to Pakistan is intended to revive the high-level visits we had during the 1950s and the 1960s. I believe that I have succeeded in this effort and that my visit will pave the way for stronger cooperation and more bilateral exchanges between our two countries in the future,” the Secretary said. END.