13 October 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today discussed with five envoys from the Latin American diplomatic corps measures of further strengthen the cooperation between the countries in the East Asian and Latin American regions.

During the collective courtesy call of the Latin American Ambassadors at the DFA, Secretary Romulo underscored the important role of the Forum of East Asian and Latin American Cooperation (FEALAC) in regional cooperation especially in the promotion of trade relations.  Secretary Romulo pointed out that Latin America is a rich and vast continent with so much potential and that “the Filipinos are fortunate to have a particularly unique historical and cultural link with your continent.”   Those who called on Secretary Romulo were H.E. Ambassador Ramon Alfonso Medina of Cuba,  H.E. Ambassador Mario Schuff of Argentina, H.E. Ambassador Claudio de Couto-Lyra of Brazil, H.E. Ambassador Jorge Montero Figueroa of Chile and CDA Mr. Jose Clavio of Venezuela.

Ambassador Medina, who conveyed on behalf of the delegation their support for the stewardship of Secretary Romulo at the Department of Foreign Affairs, said: “We know you are very knowledgeable about our region. The Philippines has an important role in the FEALAC being the bridge between East Asia and Latin America, perhaps facilitating economic, political and cultural linkages.”  Secretary Romulo thanked the Latin American envoys for their support as he stressed the crucial role of the Philippines in the FEALAC, which held its annual conference in Manila in January 2004.  Discussing the long road towards the establishment of the European Union with the Treaty of Rome in 1957, Secretary Romulo said “the same way with FEALAC, we are just at the start of something big.”

Assistant Secretary Ariel Abadilla, who joined Secretary Romulo in receiving the envoys, said the Philippines is definitely committed to fostering and keeping alive the spirit of FEALAC, being a bridge between East Asia and Latin America. Secretary Romulo informed the five Latin American envoys that “the Philippines’ shared history and culture with Latin America would always tie this country to their continent despite the distance. The cultural linkage between the Philippines and Latin America will always remain strong.”

H.E. Ambassador Mario Schuff of Argentina pointed out that the economic, political and cultural groups within FEALAC are scheduled to meet annually. “The economic ministers are scheduled to meet in Buenos Aires on 23 October 2004,” Ambassador Schuff said. Ambassador Medina of Cuba pointed out that the FEALAC is a big forum comprised of 32 countries, “including Guatemala and Nicaragua as the newest members”. H.E. Ambassador Claudio Lyra of Brazil stressed the need to have some of their projects in FEALAC brought to the attention of international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB). According to Ambassador Lyra, the Inter-American Bank recently conducted a forum on Southeast Asia and the opportunities for growth and trade cooperation.

Ambassador Medina reiterated the need for more economic and cultural interaction between East Asia and Latin America. “There are a lot of business opportunities in Latin America,” he explained, pointing out that the linkage between the Philippines and Latin America is not solely based on a common historical legacy but should also on a common interest for the progress of their economies.

The five Latin American envoys concurred with Secretary Romulo about the opportunities that could be tapped in promoting trade between the Philippines and the countries of Latin America. “We earnestly hope that this time the vision of an upgraded Philippine-Latin American relations would be a legacy of your tenure,” Ambassador Medina said.

Ambassador Lyra discussed the Government’s peacekeeping efforts in Mindanao, since all the Latin American envoys visited Cotabato City and Davao City last week upon the invitation of Farouk Hussein, ARMM Chairman, to observe the confidence building measures of the local government as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the MILF.   Secretary Romulo explained to them that Mindanao is a focal point of the BIMP-EAGA and that the peace process undertaken by the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is intended to promote the progress of the Muslim communities in Mindanao.

Secretary Romulo also explained to them that the International Monitoring Team from Malaysia that has been dispatched to Mindanao last 10 October 2004 is part of the Arroyo administration’s efforts to secure peace in Mindanao.  All the Latin American envoys lauded the initiatives of the Philippine Government and gave their unequivocal support to the government’s efforts in securing a lasting peace in  Mindanao.  The envoys stressed that the peace agreement will be a signal to investors from Latin America to invest in Mindanao and help in the developmental efforts of the Arroyo administration.

Secretary Romulo expressed his appreciation for their concern and also thanked them for their collective courtesy call at his office. He also conveyed to them his greetings to their respective ministers.  The Latin American envoys reiterated their invitation for Secretary Romulo to visit the Latin American countries some time in the future.  END