SECRETARY ROMULO CITES EU SUPPORT FOR PEACE PROCESS AT ASEAN-EU GATHERING  

16 March 2007 – Speaking before a gathering of the foreign ministers of the European Union and ASEAN on 15 March 2007 in Nuremberg , Germany , Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed deep appreciation for the crucial role that EU support has been playing in building peace and spurring progress in Mindanao .  

"I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to the EU and to some of its individual members for assisting the peace process in Mindanao .  We have made great progress in the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and we expect to conclude a final peace accord later this year," the Secretary said.  

In making this statement, the Secretary emphasized that "bilateral and multilateral assistance from Europe and from our other partners for peace and development in Mindanao have helped promote a climate encouraging political negotiations."  

"Our efforts to bring lasting peace in Mindanao help secure not just the Philippines but the whole region from terrorism and instability.  This will remain a focal area for continued cooperation," he added.  

Secretary Romulo also informed the body that, had the communist rebels also accepted a ceasefire and peace talks, as the MILF did, the overall level of violence would have been reduced and economic development would have been accelerated.  

"Nonetheless, the Philippine Government remains committed to a peace process with the armed Left, and we thank Norway and our other European friends for their assistance in this regard," Secretary Romulo expressed.  

The Secretary stated that this assistance is particularly relevant given the 30 years of ASEAN-EU relations.  

"An enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement, including a plan of action, will ensure that joint activities meet the evolving needs and priorities of both sides,” Secretary Romulo noted. “The EC's New Partnership Communication, established in 2004, has set out EC's relations with Southeast Asia .  For ASEAN's part, the Vientiane Action Plan (VAP) serves as our blueprint in realizing an ASEAN Community by 2015. These two documents provide the strong foundation for developing a comprehensive and action-oriented Joint Statement for this meeting."  

In this context he expressed appreciation for "EU's support for the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACS) located in the Philippines ."  He pointed out that "the Centre facilitates the coordination and cooperation among ASEAN members on the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from such use." END

/jay

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