by magnolia_eic | Nov 10, 2011 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will embark on a three-day trip to Bali, Indonesia to attend the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from November 17 to 19, a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
In a pre-departure briefing at Malacanang on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio said that apart from his ASEAN counterparts, President Aquino will also be meeting with the leaders of Asutralia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic
of Korea (ROK), Russia and the United States (US), and United Nations (UN) Secretary- General Ban Ki Moon.
“President Aquino will be attending the 19th Asean Summit, the Asean-China Commemorative Summit, the 14th Asean-Japan Summit, the 14th Asean-ROK Summit, the 14th Asean Plus Three Summit, the 3rd Asean-US Leaders’ Meeting, the 4th Asean-U.N.
Summit, the Asean Leaders’ Meeting with the Asean Business Advisory Council, the 9th Asean-India Summit and the 6th East Asia Summit,” Usec. Basilio said.
The Philippines also welcomes the finalization of the Guidelines on the implementation of the DOC of Parties in the West Philippine Sea.
During the said events, the President will focus on Philippine advocacies for Asean, which are aligned with the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, namely political-security, economic diplomacy and assistance to nationals. These advocacies include Maritime
Security and the transformation of the West Philippine Sea to a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) with respect to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration of Conduct
(DOC). It will be recalled that during the 18th ASEAN Summit last May in Jakarta, Indonesia, President Aquino offered a framework for pursuing the ZoPFF/C.
In his speech at the 18th Asean Summit last May in Jakarta, President Aquino underscored the main purpose for the creation of Asean in 1967 which aims for the “creation of a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region”.
The President stressed that it is paramount for Asean-member countries to remain committed to its community-building goals to realize an Asean Community by the year 2015. (PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | May 6, 2011 | Headlines, National News
THE government is spending about P4.2 million for President Benigno Aquino III’s trip to
Indonesia for the annual gathering of the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) from May 7 to 8.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the P4.2 million covers expenses for hotel
accommodations, food, transportation, telecommunications and equipment requirements,
among others, excluding air fares.
The President will be accompanied by a 54-man delegation including Foreign Secretary
Albert del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar
Purisima, and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office, Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino, DFA
Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio, Chief Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant Miguel
Perez-Rubio, Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Ramon Vicente Kabigting, and DFA
Assistant Secretary Victoria Bataclan are also part of the President’s delegation.
The President’s attendance to the 18th ASEAN Summit, a yearly meeting of the heads of
states and governments of the regional bloc composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, is his second
since he became the Chief Executive last year. His first was in Vietnam in November 2010.
(PIA)
by magnolia_eic | May 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will be participating in the 7th Brunei Darussalam-
Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders Summit on
May 8 following his attendance at the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
This will be the first time President Aquino will attend the BIMP-EAGA’s high-level meeting
since assuming the presidency in June 2010. He is expected to provide comprehensive
recommendations on achieving the sub-region’s economic potential, foremost of which are
initiatives to secure the seamless flow of goods and people, and to identify food and agri-
fisheries production zones in BIMP-EAGA.
The event will also serve as a venue for the Chief Executive to push for the development
of the area as a prime eco-tourism destination through the promotion of community-based
strategies such as infrastructure support and incentives for tourism marketing.
The Philippines aims for tangible results in achieving its priorities and the ASEAN region as a
whole.
BIMP-EAGA plays an important role in ASEAN integration and development. The Summit
will provide an important venue for the leaders to discuss ways on how to maximize the
economic opportunities in the sub-region.
Launched in 1994, BIMP-EAGA is a cooperation initiative of four ASEAN-member countries,
namely, Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Its creation aims to
accelerate economic development in the “focus areas” of the four countries. The BIMP-
EAGA initiative is market-driven, and operates through a decentralized organization structure
involving the four governments and the private sector.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation also aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with
and outside the sub-region through the facilitation of free movement of people, goods, and
services, make the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources and take the
fullest advantage of economic complementation. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will go to Hanoi on Oct. 28 to 30 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit.
But prior to his attendance at the ASEAN Summit, the Chief Executive will first make a state visit to Vietnam upon the personal invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said, in an interview in New York, that the President was originally scheduled to visit Vietnam last September 13-14 but the hostage crisis took place at the Quirino Grandstand last August 23, which forced the President to stay and attend to domestic problems.
Romulo said the two leaders talked about the ASEAN-US meeting that will take place this Friday (Sept. 24) and President Aquino, as the coordinator, just talked about their full agenda including the communiqué, which has been arranged by the senior officials.
He reported to the Vietnamese leader that President Aquino is looking forward to his visit to Hanoi in order to “deepen the relationship already existing between the two countries.”
The Vietnamese president also expressed his confidence in the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.
President Aquino said he expects to sign in Hanoi the agreements on higher education, defense, maritime issues and disaster coordination, including oil spill and natural calamities, Romulo added. (PCCO/PIA)
