|
Monday, January 15, 2007
Arroyo says Asean moving forward as a formidable bloc
CEBU CITY (Updated 5:30 p.m.)- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in closing the 12th Asean summit Monday said the Asean is moving forward towards firm accords on its own charter, security, overseas workers, and trade.
Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch
Arroyo said the prospect for the region becoming a formidable bloc in the world "is well within our reach. From one caring and sharing community, we can become a dynamo as the hub and core of East Asia, immersed in robust, open trade from within the region and across the oceans -- building security and prosperity in millions of communities from east to west."
Asean leaders and their dialogue partners fly home Monday at the end of the 12th Asean Summit and 2nd East Asia Summit, with high hopes that their shared vision of a more secure, peaceful and vibrant regional community will be achieved sooner than later.
"I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders who attended the Asean and East Asia summits. We thank the leaders for the honor they have bestowed upon the Philippines and for working for one caring and sharing regional community," Arroyo said.
The Asean leaders and their counterparts from six Asian economic powerhouses also pledged to pursue investments in regional infrastructure through greater private sector involvement. Arroyo said the Eminent Persons Group recommendations are particularly useful in making the association a rules-based organization better prepared to face the challenges of one caring and sharing community in today's world.
The association, Arroyo said wants to advance the sense of community and shared interests and look after each other in terms of social justice, economic development and common security.
The President also highlighted the signing of Asean leaders of the Asean Convention on counter terrorism. The convention provides for the framework for regional cooperation to counter, prevent and suppress terrorism. The Philippines will benefit from the convention in terms of training, intelligence sharing and networking with Asean member countries.(Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (January 15, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
