1. The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 and 28 April 2006.  The Malaysian delegation was headed by YB Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, while H.E. Alberto G. Romulo,  Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, led the delegation from the Philippines.

        2. The two Heads of Delegation jointly chaired the Ministerial level meeting held on 28 April 2006.  This Meeting was preceded by a meeting of Senior Officials held on 27 April 2006.

        3. The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. Both sides appraised each other of the status of bilateral cooperation in the various fields and agreed on measures to be taken to enhance the on going cooperation.  Among the issues discussed during the meeting were related to political and security cooperation, trade and investment, Filipino workers in Malaysia, access to education of children of Filipino workers, tourism, education, agriculture, capacity building in human resource, defense, air services, commodities, health and education.

        4. On the issue of political and security cooperation, both sides expressed optimism in the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front    (MILF).  They recognized the achievements of the Philippine government in pursuing comprehensive and durable peace in the Southern Philippines.

        5. Both sides also dwelt on the issue of combating international terrorism, trans-boundary crime and sea piracy. Aiming to create a safer environment along the maritime boundaries of Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines, both sides agreed to further intensify and broaden the on going security cooperation, which would result in enhanced exchange of information and joint sea patrols between the security enforcement agencies of both countries.

        6. The Meeting also agreed on the need for the early conclusion of the Status of Forces Agreement.

        7. In the field of trade and investment, the Meeting agreed to further encourage and facilitate trade and investments by the business community from both countries.  The Meeting also agreed that the Malaysia External Trade Development Cooperation (MATRADE) and the Philippines Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM) would jointly organize trade and investment missions, with the view of increasing the volume of trade and investments between the two countries.  The Meeting also agreed to expedite the conclusion of the proposed (Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments ) Investment Guarantee Agreement (IGA) between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines.

        8. On cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sector, the Meeting noted with satisfaction the ongoing cooperation and agreed to expedite the conclusion of the MOU on Cooperation in Fisheries. The Philippine side took note of Malaysia’s interest in exploring cooperation with Philippine tuna canning companies in the Regional Tuna Development Center in Sabah.

        9. The Malaysian side welcomes the Philippine proposal for the enhancement of technical cooperation in Halal Certification.

        10. The Meeting took note that Malaysia agreed to share its technological knowledge and expertise in the cultivation of and marketing of papaya and watermelon while the Philippines agreed to do the same for mango, banana and rice.

        11. On cooperation in the Palm Oil and Rubber cultivation, both countries encouraged the private sector to seriously consider the investment opportunities in these sectors that are available in the Philippines.  The Philippines agreed to hold investment seminars in Malaysia with a view to attract more investments from Malaysia in the Palm Oil and Rubber sectors in the Philippines.

        12. The Meeting also agreed for the need to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism.  Towards this end, both countries urged the Malaysia Association of Travel and Tour Agencies (MATTA) and the Philippines Travel Agents Association (PTAA) to jointly promote tourist destinations in both countries.  Both MATTA and PTAA are also encouraged to organise familiarization trips in order to create more awareness of the excellent tourism destinations in both countries.

        13. In the field of education, the Meeting agreed to cooperate in the development and streamlining of the Madrasah education in the Philippines.  Malaysia invited the relevant Philippine institutions to undertake study visits to the Malaysian government religious schools with the view of establishing similar institutions in the Philippines.  The Malaysia government also agreed to provide financial assistance to a number of students from the Philippines based on merit to pursue their tertiary education at the International Islamic University of Malaysia.

        14. The Meeting took note of the need for a viable exchange of benefits in the air services talks. The Meeting also took note of the specific Malaysian and Philippine requests.

        15.  The Meeting also welcomed the Philippines proposal to host the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Committee on Assistance for the Socio Economic Advancement of Muslims Filipinos, which would be held at a mutually convenient date.

        16. Malaysia also took note of the request of the Philippines to consider modes of providing access to education for children of Filipino workers in Malaysia.

        17. To ensure the mutual protection of each other’s nationals, the Meeting agreed to convene at the soonest possible time the 3rd Meeting of the Philippines-Malaysia Working Group on Migrant Workers, which will be hosted by the Philippines in Cebu at a mutually convenient date. The Meeting also looks forward to the reopening of the negotiations and eventual conclusion of the MOU on labour between the two governments.

        18. The Malaysian side also took note of the Philippine’s request to provide a separate block in detention centers for children, women and other vulnerable groups.

        19. The 7th Joint Commission Meeting between Malaysia and the Republic of Philippines would be held in the Philippines in 2007.

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