Secretary Romulo arrives after Successful Visit to Seoul , Beijing and Pyongyang  

22 June 2007 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo returned home yesterday after a successful trip to Seoul in the Republic of K o r e a (ROK), Beijing in the People’s Republic of China (PROC), and Pyongyang in the Democratic People’s Republic of K o r e a (DPRK) to advance further the country’s ties with these countries and to invite their respective Foreign Ministers to attend the 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Manila on 2 August 2007.  

At a media briefing held shortly upon his arrival at the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport , Secretary Romulo said that the three Foreign Ministers – Minister Song Min Soon of the ROK, Minister Yang Jiechi of the PROC, and Minister Pak Ui Chun of the DPRK – accepted the invitation to attend the ARF meeting.  

Secretary Romulo left Manila on 15 June 2007 for Seoul , where he met with ROK Foreign Minister Song.  Secretary Romulo and Minister Song both welcomed the recent positive developments in the Six-Party Talks.  They also agreed to continue working for the promotion of mutual trust and confidence among all countries in the Asia- Pacific.  

The Secretary then proceeded to Beijing to honor the invitation extended by PROC Foreign Minister Yang for Secretary Romulo to undertake an official visit to China .  

In Beijing , Secretary Romulo and Minister Yang expressed satisfaction over the progress and momentum gained in RP-China relations, and agreed to work closely in accelerating the finalization and signing of the RP-China Joint Action Pl an (JAP) as well as the implementation of activities under the RP-China Framework Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Trade and Economic Cooperation.  

Secretary Romulo met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who conveyed his warmest greetings to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and extended an invitation for President Arroyo to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Beijing next year.  In their discussions, Secretary Romulo and Premier Wen agreed to work for the attainment of the RP-China Bilateral Trade target of US$30 billion by 2010.  

Secretary Romulo proceeded to Pyongyang , becoming the first Philippine Foreign Minister to visit the DPRK.  The Secretary met with H. E. Kim Yong Nam , President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and newly appointed Foreign Minister Pa k Ui Choon.  

Secretary Romulo conveyed to Assembly President Kim the message of friendship of President Arroyo to DPRK Leader Kim Jong Il.  The Secretary and the Assembly President agreed on the importance of regular contacts and exchanges to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.  Secretary Romulo also welcomed the DPRK’s assurance of its commitments in the Six-Party talks, to the denuclearization of the Korea n peninsula and its adherence to the February 13, 2007 Action Agreement of the six parties, and expressed the hope that recent developments will lead to the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.  

When asked what the implications of the Secretary’s visit to the DPRK was for the Philippines , being the first by a Philippine Foreign Minister, Secretary Romulo replied, “We stand for peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the issues there, so we are willing to contribute towards such amicable resolution, however small that contribution may be.  Although we are not part of the six parties, as Chair of the ASEAN, we support the ongoing Six-Party process and look forward to a peaceful, diplomatic and harmonious resolution of all the outstanding issues.”  END

/jay

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