RP-US SEEK TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN ANTI-TERROR, 

PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT WORK; PHILIPPINES ’ CONTRIBUTIONS 

TO GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN CITED

07 September 2007 SYDNEY , AUSTRALIA —Stressing the value of their sustained partnership in the achievement of greater stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines and the United States are seeking to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and peace and development.

Following his meeting with United States Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting (APEC) here, today Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said Secretary Rice recognized RP-US cooperation in the global campaign against terrorism.

“Dr. Rice congratulated the Philippines for its continuing success in the campaign against terrorism and described Philippine-US partnership in counter-terrorism as “leading the way,” Secretary Romulo told members of the media after his 30 minute meeting with Dr. Rice.

“This reaffirms both the Philippines and the United States ’ strong partnership and our willingness to expand our collaboration on the key areas of counter-terrorism and peace and development work,” said Secretary Romulo.

Secretary Romulo said Dr. Rice recognized that in the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Philippines and the United States “together, have made a good impact.”

During the meeting, both Secretary Romulo and Secretary Rice also emphasized the importance of strengthening the “soft approach” against terrorism and extremism, along with the “hard approach,” Secretary Romulo said.

“As we continue to work together to break the back of international terrorism, we have to continue our joint efforts to win the minds and hearts of peoples against extremism which breeds terrorism,” Secretary Romulo explained.

“We have partnered with the United States in innovative soft approaches with high impact for communities, particularly in Mindanao ,” Secretary Romulo pointed out.

“Projects under the USAID which focus on health, education and infrastructure are important for our campaign against extremism and just and lasting peace in Mindanao .  With the sustained support of friends like the United States , we will continue to make significant headway,” added Secretary Romulo.

“This approach strongly supports the Philippines ’ two-pronged approach of achieving peace and development,” said Secretary Romulo.

Between 2001-2006, USAID provided approximately $260 million to reinforce Philippine Government efforts to secure lasting peace and spur and sustain growth and development for the people of Mindanao .

Secretary Romulo expressed the hope that with sustained efforts of the National Government, the Philippines would qualify for additional support from the United States ’ Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).

The MCA is devoted to projects in nations that govern justly, invest in their people and encourage economic freedom.

During the meeting, Dr. Rice acknowledged the headway made in Philippine efforts to achieve key results in good governance, investments in people and encouraging economic freedom, said Secretary Romulo. END

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