SFA-AGR-117-08

SECRETARY ROMULO HOLDS BILATERAL TALKS WITH VISITING MALAYSIAN H.E. FOREIGN MINISTER DATUK SERI UTAMA DR. RAIS YATIM

7 May 2008— Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo holds bilateral talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister H.E. Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, who is on a two-day official visit to Manila. The visit is part of ASEAN's tradition of newly installed Foreign Ministers visiting their counterparts in the region.

The two foreign ministers discussed ways for enhancing further the close and strong Philippines-Malaysia cooperation and partnership at the bilateral level and within the context of ASEAN. They agreed that the Joint Commision on Bilateral Cooperation is the excellent platform for the further strengthening of the friendship and partnership between the two countries and that it should be convened at the earliest opportunity.

Secretary Romulo reiterated to Minister Rais the Philippines' deep appreciation for the important contributions Malaysia has made for securing peace and development in Southern Philippines, including its participation and leadership in the International Monitoring Team and its facilitation of the GRP-MILF talks in the past four years.  Minister Rais reiterated Malaysia's desire to look into new ventures and initiatives to contribute to the development as well as peace in Mindanao. He also expressed keen interest in pursuing educational exchanges, as well as cooperation on human resource development, fisheries and trade. (Photo by: Tony Bosa Jr., DFA-PISU)

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