PRESS RELEASE                                                                      
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                        *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph
SFA-DDA-401-04                                                                                                                          22 June  2004

FILIPINOS IN UN CONGRATULATE GMA

 
25 June 2004, United Nations, New York – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert met today with the Filipinos working in the United Nations Headquarters in New York to update them on developments in the Philippines, particularly in the area of foreign policy.  During the meeting, the Filipinos UN workers asked Secretary Albert to convey their congratulations for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s electoral victory.

“The Filipinos in the United Nations are among the best international public servants and have established a reputation for professionalism and dedication.  I am glad that I had this chance to dialogue with them,” Secretary Albert said after her meeting.

Secretary Albert is currently in the United Nations to preside over the UN Security Council’s deliberations on the issue of civil society and post-conflict peace-building and for consultations with other Security Council members and high UN officials.

“During our meeting, the Filipino community within the United Nations asked me to convey to President Arroyo their warm congratulations for her victory in the 10 May elections,” Secretary Albert said.  “This is a task that I will gladly carry out,” she added.

The Secretary said that the Filipinos in the UN continue to be deeply interested in their home country. “They were very interested in availing of our dual citizenship law.  Many were looking forward to retiring in the Philippines.  While others were interested in bringing what they learned at the UN to the Philippines by establishing grass-roots NGOs,” the Secretary said.  She added that she was deeply touched by the desire of the Filipinos in the UN, some of whom have been in the UN since the 1970’s, to maintain and strengthen their ties with the Philippines. END.