RP, FRANCE REAFFIRM SHARED COMMITMENT TO UPHOLD,

PROTECT MIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS

19 October 2007 PARIS – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Minister for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development Brice Hortefeux reaffirm the Philippines’ and France’s commitment to work closely in upholding and protecting migrant workers’ rights.  At their meeting here, Minister Hortefeux lauded the Philippines’ leadership in protecting migrant workers’ rights and expressed keen interest in concluding an agreement on Filipino professionals and student exchange.  Secretary Romulo welcomed France’s intent, stressing that “upholding and protecting the rights, welfare and well-being of Filipinos overseas is an important pillar of Philippine Foreign Policy.”  Secretary Romulo and Minister Hortefeux witnessed the signing of a Joint Statement on Filipino professionals and Student Exchange by Philippine Ambassador to France Jose Abeto Zaide and Secretary General Patrick Stefanini of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Immigration Control.  END