18 January 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today thanked the diplomatic community for their continued support for the peace efforts of the Philippine Government and for their continued confidence in the Philippines as an investment destination.  The Secretary expressed these sentiments during a briefing on the peace process and the issue of NAIA III given to the diplomatic community today at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In his remarks, the Secretary told the gathered diplomats that “the support of the diplomatic community for our peace process has brought us closer to peace.” He also said that “your fair confidence in the ability and determination of our people and our nation to achieve progress helps to bring to our country the investments, trade opportunities and tourists that will help the Philippine economy to grow.”

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Teresita Deles and Chairman of the Philippine Panel for the MILF Peace Talks, Secretary Silvestre Afable gave a briefing on the peace process. Solicitor-General Alfredo Benipayo and NAIA General Manager Alfonso Cusi gave a briefing on NAIA III, together with a representative from the Department of Trade and Industry.  Also present during the briefing was Presidential Chief of Staff Norberto Gonzales.

The Secretary made particular mention of the countries directly involved in helping bring peace, saying that Malaysia and Norway are playing crucial roles as our partners for peace by bringing the parties together and that Malaysia, Brunei and Libya are on the ground and ready to monitor the peace. He added that monitors from Bahrain are soon to join them and that many other countries are playing crucial roles by helping us prepare for peace through their commitments for post-conflict development assistance, particularly for the resettlement of former combatants.

Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Secretary Romulo said that the diplomatic community expressed appreciation for the briefing and conveyed to him their continued support for the peace process and for the business climate of the Philippines.

“During the open forum during the briefing and to me personally after the briefing, several diplomats reiterated their countries’ strong support for our efforts to achieve peace with the MILF and with the CPP-NPA.  They renewed their pledge to provide post-conflict development assistance, including support for the resettlement of former combatants.  They also thanked us for the briefing we gave on the issue of NAIA III and said that they continued to believe that the reforms being implemented by the government will help make the Philippines an even better investment destination,” the Secretary said. END.
 
 

/Gary