Putrajaya, 3 March 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar today held talks on bilateral issues as well as on regional and international concerns.  At their meeting, the two foreign ministers agreed that the Philippine peace process involving the MILF was on track and that talks will resume soon.

“It is both our conclusions that our peace process with the MILF is on track.  Minister Albar said that he remained very positive about the success of the peace talks,” Secretary Romulo said.  “We both agreed that much of the differences between the Government and the MILF on the issue of peace have been narrowed and that there remains one more issue that has to be resolved,” he added, referring to the issue of ancestral domain.

“Minister Albar also reiterated Malaysia’s support for our efforts to become more deeply engaged with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which Malaysia currently chairs,” the Secretary said.

The two officials also discussed the repatriation of undocumented Filipinos from Malaysia.  Minister Albar assured Secretary Romulo that the rights of all undocumented Filipinos will be protected.  Both also welcomed the meeting next week of the RP-Malaysia Joint Commission on repatriation.

“This is an important meeting as this shows the determination of our country to protect and assist our overseas nationals.   Our nationals are subject to the laws of Malaysia, the host country.  On our part, we are working closely with Malaysia to ensure the safety and welfare of our undocumented nationals as they make their way home,” the Secretary said.

“Our discussions also touched upon the future integration of our region. We both agreed that ASEAN shall remain at the center and core of future regional integration.  This is a matter that we will discuss during the ASEAN Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu, 10-12 April 2005,” the Secretary said. END
 

/jay