17 June 2004, Istanbul, Turkey – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that a major achievement during the recently  concluded  31st  Session of the  Islamic Conference of  Foreign Ministers in Istanbul was the formal recognition that an important phase of the 1996 peace agreement between the Philippines and the MNLF had been completed.

“The  OIC has  determined  that  the  Philippines is  in  full compliance with our 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF with the completion of Phase I of the agreement, which covers security and political matters,” Secretary Albert said.

“As in any peace agreement, these are matters of crucial and basic importance. These obligations have been met and the OIC has also recognized that we are making progress in implementing Phase II, or the economic and social phase, of the agreement,” the Secretary added.

“I would like to thank the members of the Committee of the Eight, headed by Indonesia, for their careful work and professionalism. We look forward to continue working with the Committee of the Eight in completing the implementation of our peace agreement with the MNLF,” Secretary Albert said. END.