18 March 2004 -    “The Philippine Government is fully  committed to addressing the continuing peace and order  problem and reaching a comprehensive and peaceful  solution to the armed conflicts in the southern  Philippines”, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia  Domingo Albert said in Geneva after her meeting with  OIC Secretary-General Abdulouahed Belkeziz on 16 March  2004.

Secretary-General Belkeziz welcomed the invitation of  Turkey to the Philippines to attend the Islamic  Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul in June.

The  Organization   of Islamic  Conference  (OIC)  has  played  an  important  role  in  supporting  efforts,
initiatives and endeavours of both the Philippine  government and the MNLF to achieve lasting peace in  Mindanao.    Secretary Albert further said that “It  was the OIC which brokered peace between the  Philippine government and the MNLF that resulted to  the Peace Agreement signed on September 2, 1996.  Our  government has since taken significant interest in the  OIC”.

The Foreign Affairs Secretary added that “the OIC’s  importance in helping the Philippine government in our  peace and development efforts in Mindanao has come  into fore.  With the OIC’s support, we can fast-track  the peace and development initiatives being pursued by  President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to empower our  Muslim brothers who hope to attain a more stable political and economic framework in Mindanao.

“With the government initiatives, we aim to address  the roots of discontent particularly in conflict areas  in the south.  Forging deeper ties with the OIC will  not only strengthen our relations with the Islamic  world, but equally important, help us attain peace and  development for Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao”, the  Secretary said.

The Secretary stated during her meeting with  Secretary-General Belkeziz that the Philippine  government is steadfast in its commitment to the peace  agreement with the MNLF and to see to it that the  government complies with its obligations. However,  Secretary Albert said that peace and development  efforts will come into full realization if the  Philippines is in a better position to effectively  represent the Muslim Filipinos in all parts of the  country.  The Philippines can do this, she said, if it  becomes an observer in the OIC.

The Secretary explained that being an Observer in the OIC would be a great honor and will enable the Philippines to work together in the cause of peace not  only in the country, but in every part of the world  and in every fora where the OIC is playing an  important role.

“The future of Mindanao and our Muslim brothers is important to us. Our ultimate vision for Muslim   Mindanao is peace and development and a society that is multi-ethnic and founded on social justice, freedom  and equality”, the Secretary further said.

In her meeting with Secretary-General Belkeziz,  Secretary Albert expressed hope that the OIC would  continue to accord the Philippines the opportunity to  be heard on the status of the implementation of the  peace process.  She underscored the sincerity of the  Philippine government in addressing the concerns of  the entire Muslim community and of its commitment to  implement the letter and spirit of the 1996 Peace  Agreement.  Secretary-General Belkeziz gave assurances  that the Philippine application for observer status in  the OIC would be considered.

The Secretary-General suggested that he or his   representative be invited to the next round of talks  between the Philippine government and the MILF.   END