14  May  2004,  Putrajaya,  Malaysia  –  In  a  meeting at the  Malaysian  Foreign  Ministry  in  Putrajaya,  the Administrative Capital of  Malaysia,  Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert and  Malaysian Foreign Minister  Datuk  Seri  Syed Hamid Albar  agreed to convene  the RP-Malaysia  Joint  Commission  Meeting on  15-16 July 2004 for a comprehensive and detailed discussion of relations  between the  two countries. “Not only did we agree on the dates of the Joint Commission Meeting, but we also agreed on the possible elements for that meeting,” Secretary Albert said after her working lunch with Foreign Minister Albar.  The working lunch was preceded by bilateral discussions at the Foreign Minister’s office. Secretary Albert was in Malaysia to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement’s Committee on Palestine (13 May) and for an official bilateral visit (14 May).

“Although we discussed several bilateral issues, including Malaysia’s continuing role as our partner for peace in the Southern Philippines and the expansion of economic ties between our countries, we also discussed our partnership on the global stage, particularly on issues facing the United Nations and the UN Security Council like the Middle East Peace Process,” Secretary Albert said.  The Philippines is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and will hold the Presidency of the UNSC this June.

The Secretary said that she was impressed and touched by Minister Albar’s awareness of the important role that Filipinos play in Malaysian society. “Minister Albar was keenly aware of the contribution that many Filipinos had made to Malaysia,” Secretary Albert said.
 
“The Joint Commission Meeting, were concerned domestic agencies from both countries are included in delegations, will provide an important opportunity to discuss in a comprehensive and detailed manner, the future course of RP-Malaysian relations.  It is a future that holds the promise of mutual benefit for our countries,” Secretary Albert added. END.