ROMULO THANKS OIC FOR ROLE IN SEARCH FOR PEACE;
CALLS FOR DEEPER RP-OIC RELATIONS IN ADDRESS BEFORE OIC MINISTERIAL MEETING 

20 June 2006, Baku, Azerbaijan – In his remarks during the Plenary session of the ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference today, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed appreciation for the role the OIC has played in the search for peace in the Southern Philippines and expressed hopes for a closer partnership with the OIC. 

Speaking at the Plenary session of the 33^rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM), Secretary Romulo acknowledged the crucial role of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in building peace in the Southern Philippines. 

“I bring with me greetings of peace from a grateful nation,” the Secretary told the gathering of leaders and high officials from OIC member states.  

“The Philippines and its people can once again dream of peace and harbor hopes of ending conflict, because you, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and its member states, have dedicated yourselves to the cause of peace,” the Secretary added. 

Speaking to reporters after his address, Secretary Romulo expressed his appreciation for the decision to let him address the conference, adding “this is another important step in our quest for meaningful peace and lasting stability in the Southern Philippines and for deeper relations with the OIC and its member countries.”  Several delegations also congratulated the Secretary and the members of the Philippine delegation for his speech. 

In his remarks to the OIC, the Secretary emphasized that “the Philippines and the OIC find unity in the cause of peace because our peoples share many common goals, visions and aspirations.” 

“We find common ground in the pursuit of a peaceful and tolerant world, founded on justice.  We share a common desire to eliminate discrimination, segregation and colonialism in all its forms. We are one in seeking to preserve the dignity and rights of all Muslims,” the Secretary said. 

Referring to the successful partnership between the Philippines and the OIC in ensuring continued compliance with the 1996 agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front, the Secretary called for even closer partnership with the OIC.  

“A closer partnership with the international Islamic Community, through the OIC, will allow us to fast-track development efforts for all Filipino Muslims,” the Secretary said in his remarks. 

“Together we will be able to intensify our cooperation on shared initiatives that advance the interests of the global Islamic Ummah. Let us strengthen our partnership for peace.  Let our enduring legacies be just and honorable peace for all the world’s peoples,” the Secretary emphasized. 

With Secretary Romulo in Baku were Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Ambassador Rafael Seguis, DFA Under-secretary for Special Concerns. END

/jay