|
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
RP, Bahrain sign 3 pacts
THE Philippines and Bahrain Monday forged three agreements to expand ties on tourism, technical education and air services.
The signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOU) and a protocol to amend and supplement the air services agreement between the two countries at the Al Rawdha Palace highlighted President Arroyo's two-day state visit.
Philippine ambassador to Bahrain Eduardo Maglaya signed all the documents on behalf of government, which was supposed to be represented by Foreign Affairs Sec. Blas Ople, who died of a heart attack Sunday morning.
Those who signed for Bahrain were Minister of Information Nabeel Bin Yacoub Al-Hamer for the MOU on tourism, Education Minister Dr. Majid Bin Ali Al-Naumi for the MOU on technical education, and Minister of Transportation Ali Bin Khalifa al-Khalifa on the protocol on air services.
Under the MOU on tourism, the two governments sought to jointly promote tourism while coordinating marketing efforts and information exchange.
In the MOU on technical education, they agreed on closer cooperation on technical education, particularly in human resource development skills training, visitor exchange and technology transfer.
The amended air accord provides for five additional flights per week between the two countries. Two of the five flights would land in Manila, one each in Cebu and Davao cities and another at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga.
In a bilateral meeting Sunday night, Bahrain King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa assured President Arroyo of his government's efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao, particularly in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Bahrain would be active in the ceasefire monitoring team in Mindanao and would also support the Philippines' bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Arroyo, on her part, thanked the King for the $1-million grant for the development of the Muslim communities in the Philippines. She also thanked him for supporting the Philippines' election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2004-2005.
Also in Bahrain, Arroyo said government intends to build an exclusive commercial center in Metro Manila to showcase Muslim culture and crafts, and to house Muslim Filipino sidewalk vendors who were displaced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) ongoing drive against sidewalk vendors.
She said the proposed commercial center would rise in one of the three large Muslim communities in the metropolis.
In a statement from Bahrain, Arroyo also defended her meetings with Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from criticism that she is campaigning.
Arroyo said she has always met with the Filipino communities in her trips abroad. SCT
(December 16, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
