DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                             2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                        Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-478-07                                                                                                                                                           22 June 20

ROMULO: DPRK DECISION ALLOWING IAEA VISIT STEP FORWARD 
TOWARDS GREATER REGIONAL SECURITY AND STABILITY  

22 June 2007—Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto hailed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ’s (DPRK) decision agreeing to a visit by the International Atomic Energy (IAEA), saying the development was a “positive step forward” towards greater security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.  

Romulo, who returned to Manila Thursday from a three-country swing of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and the DPRK, said DPRK’s decision was “key in creating favourable conditions for the resolution of outstanding issues in the Korean peninsula” and “maintained the essential verification role of the IAEA.”  

IAEA Director General Mohammad Elbaradei announced recently DPRK’s agreement to a visit by an IAEA working-level delegation to discuss modalities for verification and monitoring by the IAEA of the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility.  

Romulo pointed out DPRK’s decision showed a willingness to engage relevant stakeholders seeking a peaceful resolution to the Korean peninsula nuclear issue.  

During Romulo’s historic visit to DPRK, he met Supreme People’s Assembly President Kim Yong Nam and Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and emphasized that the “peaceful resolution of the Korean peninsula nuclear issue through decisive diplomacy and meaningful dialogue is imperative for sustained development in the region.”  

Romulo also reiterated the Philippines ’ readiness as ASEAN Chair to “extend the necessary assistance to the Six-Party Talks stakeholders to help ensure that the process is moved further forward.”  

Romulo is the first Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary to visit the DPRK. 

Supreme People’s Assembly President Kim, meantime, expressed DPRK’s “overriding commitment” to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula .  

As current Chair of the ten-member ASEAN, the Philippines has actively supported continued dialogue for Six-Party Talks stakeholders and the adherence of all parties to international commitments, including the September 2005 Joint Statement and the 13 February 2007 Denuclearization Action Plan. END

/jay

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