PROMOTING CLOSER RP-JAPAN BILATERAL TIES

Meeting between

the Hon. Dr. Alberto G. Romulo

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

& the Hon. Taro Aso

Foreign Minister of Japan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo , 24 May 2007

24 May 2007 - Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr. Alberto G. Romulo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso to discuss a broad range of bilateral concerns at the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo today (May 24) .  Secretary Romulo recalled the recent visit of his Japanese counterpart for meetings related to the 12^th ASEAN Summit and the Second East Asia Summit in Cebu last January.  The two agreed that these meetings had been important in laying the groundwork for closer mutually beneficial relations between the Philippines and Japan and within the region as well.

Secretary Romulo is accompanying H.E. President Goria Macapagal-Arroyo on her ongoing visit to Japan .

“ Japan has been a true friend and close partner of the Philippines for many years,” said Secretary Romulo. 

“The talks between President Arroyo and Prime Minister Abe during this visit, and the various recently concluded agreements we are implementing, provide further impetus and direction to our already close bilateral partership,” the Secretary observed.

Secretary Romulo and Minister Aso reviewed the expanding agenda of Philippines-Japan cooperation.  They stressed that the Joint Statement on Partnership between Close Neighbors for Comprehensive Cooperation, signed by President Arroyo and Prime Minster Abe, in Manila last December had opened a new chapter for the bilateral partnership.

In this regard, the two Ministers looked forward to the hosting later this year of the 3^rd Philippines-Japan Political Security Dialogue.  Noting that the Philippines and Japan have important common maritime interests, Secretary Romulo and Minister Aso agreed to deepen discussions in the maritime sector.

“As East Asian neighbors and achipelagic states, the Philippines and Japan share a natural partnership in effective ocean governance, regionally and globally, which we will deepen in coming days,´ Secretary Romulo said.

Secretary Romulo expressed appreciation for Japan ’s continuing Official Development Assistance (ODA), which he said had been important economic, social and human resources development in the Philippines .  Japan remains the largest source of ODA for the Philippines .

In particular, Secretary Romulo emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation to promote further peace and development in Mindanao .  He conveyed appreciation for Japan ’s participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and it initiatives including the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), which is an umbrella agreement for Japanese assistance in Mindanao .  A study is now ongoing on “Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (SERD-CAMM)” under the J-BIRD program.

“Through its cooperation in promoting peace and development in Mindanao,” said Secretary Romulo, “ Japan is also helping to secure the foundations for long-term security, not only in the Philippines but for the whole region.”

Other matters discussed by the two Ministers included cooperation for disaster preparedness and management, consular affairs, and regional issues. END

/egret

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