SECRETARY ROMULO PUSHES FOR GREATER COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION;
 THANKS EU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR RP PEACE PROCESS  

16 March 2007 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo called on the European Union and ASEAN on 14 March 2007 at Nuremburg , Germany to work even closer together in addressing the challenges posed by global terrorism.  

Speaking at the first working session of the 16^th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Nuremberg , Secretary Romulo said that on the part of ASEAN, "we are fully committed to the global counter-terrorism effort.  The ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT), concluded in Cebu last January, is a firm testimony to this fact."  

"With the firm commitment of both our regions, we should work even closer together in eliminating this scourge," the Secretary said.  Possible areas for continued cooperation are in capacity-building and information exchange.  

The Philippines has succeeded in greatly reducing the threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Secretary told the meeting. The ASG has had links to al Qaeda and to Jemaah Islamiya, making it a particularly dangerous terrorist group.  

"Our success is the result of a comprehensive strategy that combines ‘hard’ elements, aimed at the military and security threat, and ‘soft’ elements designed to win the hearts and minds of the people through humanitarian assistance, improved development, and interfaith dialogue to improve mutual trust and understanding," Secretary Romulo explained.  

The Secretary pointed out that being firmly on the road to peace has also reduced the terrorist threat in the Philippines . "We are also engaged in a -peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We are confident, despite delays, that a peace agreement is within our reach. A peace agreement would be of tremendous benefit, not just for Mindanao , but for the whole region as well," he stated.  

In thanking the EU for supporting peace and development efforts in Mindanao , Secretary Romulo remarked that the cooperation of overseas friends has been crucial to these efforts.  

"I would like to thank the EU and its member-states for their assistance in this regard. Accelerated assistance at this stage will further encourage peace talks leading to the early conclusion of a peace accord," the Secretary added.  

"In addition, we have enacted the Philippines Human Security Act of 2007.  This Act strengthens our counter-terrorism efforts and also has safeguards against abuse,” the Secretary noted. “As Asia's oldest democracy, the Philippines will not fight terrorism at the expense of human rights or the rule of law." END

/jay

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