22 September 2005,United Nations, New York—United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today congratulated the Philippine Government for the advances it has made in its search for peace in the Southern Philippines. Secretary-General Annan made this statement during his meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting with the Secretary-General of the UN, Secretary Romulo said that the United Nations is not only supportive of the peace efforts of the Philippine Government but is also eager to continue providing development and technical assistance to the Southern Philippines, particularly in post-conflict areas.

“I thanked the Secretary-General for his confidence and support for our peace efforts and told him that his support provides strong encouragement for the parties to successfully conclude peace negotiations,” the Secretary said.  A major breakthrough was achieved recently in the peace process with the MILF when an understanding was reached on a remaining difficult issue, that of ancestral domain.

“The United Nations is already helping out in the development of Mindanao. But when we have a peace agreement with the MILF, the United Nations will further invigorate its development and technical assistance.  Growth and progress in Mindanao will be the lasting dividends of peace,” the Secretary added. He said that together with the United Nations, other donor countries are eager to increase their development assistance as well as direct investments to the Southern Philippines once a peace agreement is signed.

The Secretary said that Mr. Annan also expressed his support for the initiatives that were advocated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the recently concluded World Leaders’ Summit at the United Nations. “President Arroyo pursued very specific initiatives at the World Leaders’ Summit, all of which are of critical importance to the nations of the world.  Secretary General Annan told me that he appreciates and is very supportive of the President’s initiatives on debt reduction, addressing the increasing price of oil and interfaith dialogue,” the Secretary said.

“Both Secretary General Annan and I are looking forward to working together pursuing these initiatives,” Secretary Romulo said.

During their meeting, Secretary Romulo reiterated the invitation of the Philippine Government for the Secretary-General to visit the Philippines. The Secretary said that Mr. Annan was looking forward to visiting the Philippines during his next trip to East Asia. END