Seoul, 29 May 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert leaves  Korea today to make a historic visit to Bangladesh. The visit by the Secretary to that South Asian country is the first by a Filipino Foreign Minister after twenty-two years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“In making this historic visit to Bangladesh, it is my intention to reaffirm once again the Philippine government’s commitment to further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples,” the Secretary said just before boarding her flight.

Secretary Albert’s visit is also intended to sustain the momentum generated by the successful visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan to Manila in November 2003.  The Secretary noted that Minister Khan is a recipient of the Order of Sikatuna which was awarded to him for his important contributions to RP-Bangladesh relations during his 10-year stint as Honorary Consul in Chittagong and then as Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.

She is scheduled to meet with a number of ranking officials of the Bangladesh government, including President Iajuddin Ahmed; Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia; and Foreign Minister Morshed Khan.

In addition, the Secretary will meet with business officials and members of the Federation of the Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Included in her official schedule is also a meeting with the leaders of the local Filipino community.

“The Philippines recognizes the important role played by Bangladesh, as a respected member of the Committee of the Eight in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in assisting us to maintain peace in Mindanao, where most Muslim Filipinos live. Bangladesh has also extended consistent support to our bid for Permanent Observer status in the organization,” said the Secretary.

“My visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh in various areas of mutual concern. Because of that country’s pivotal role in the fight against terrorism in South Asia and the Philippines’ commitment to combat terrorism in its own region, we are also looking into the possibility of increasing our bilateral exchanges on counter-terrorism cooperation,” the Secretary added.

Earlier, Secretary Albert met with the Bangladeshi Minister for Women and  Family Affairs in Seoul as well as with lady members of the Bangladeshi Chamber of Commerce whom she introduced to the Philippine delegation of women entrepreneurs led by Mina Gabor of PHILSMED and Marilyn Ong, a member of the Women Business Council of the Philippines. END.