Saturday, July 19, 2014

Philippines commits to further strengthen bilateral relations with Indonesia


Jakarta (MI) : DFA Release – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visited Jakarta, Indonesia on July 15 and met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa to discuss bilateral cooperation activities and exchange views on matters of mutual concern.

The two ministers took note of the successful State Visit to the Philippines of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on May 23, during which several agreements between the two countries were signed, including the Agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia Concerning the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Philippines’ first maritime boundary delimitation treaty.  It was also during the State Visit that the 1st Plenary Meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Philippines-Indonesia Cooperation was convened.

Secretary Del Rosario and Minister Natalegawa discussed actions to further deepen Philippines-Indonesia cooperation, especially in the political, economic, defense, maritime, and socio-cultural fields. The two Ministers also discussed multilateral issues, including how to maintain ASEAN centrality.

Secretary Del Rosario expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s support for the Philippine peace process, as a member of the International Monitoring Team monitoring the ceasefire between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and as the past chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference – Peace Committee for the Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP), which reviews the implementation of the 1996 Government of the Philippines-Moro National Liberation Front Final Peace Agreement (FPA). Secretary Del Rosario took the opportunity to reiterate the Philippines’ request for support for the OIC-PCSP to convene a meeting for the purpose of completing the Tripartite Review Process of the FPA.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the current situation in the South China Sea. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, the early conclusion of a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea, and the de-escalation of rising tensions in the South China Sea.  Secretary Del Rosario also briefed his Indonesian counterpart on the progress of the Philippine arbitration case.

Secretary Del Rosario expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Government for its hospitality and for the fruitful discussion with Foreign Minister Natalegawa, and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to further strengthen its bilateral relations.







Sumber : Angmalaya

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