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PRESIDENT Arroyo on Monday indicated that the more
complex questions have been resolved in the final draft
of the free-trade agreement (FTA) between the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and
Japan, as she urged the negotiators to “find the resolve
to agree on the finer points” of the draft.
Speaking
at the opening of the 40th Asean Ministerial Meeting at
the Philippine International Convention Center, Mrs.
Arroyo reported that Asean FTAs with China and Korea are
in their final stages, and would be ratified by each
Asean member-country.
She then
expressed the hope that talks for a similar pact with
Japan would soon bear fruit. “Negotiation on the FTA
with
Japan
also holds a lot of promise. We hope that those involved
in the negotiations will find the resolve to agree on
the finer points of the draft FTA.”
The
President added that for Asean to become a true,
expanding union, it must continue to nurture its
relations, especially with key partners China, Japan and
South Korea, by deepening integration with the
free-trade pacts the bloc is forging with these
countries.
Mrs.
Arroyo said such FTAs with its dialogue partners would
help Asean fulfill its bid for economic integration
anchored on social justice and raising the standard of
living of the poor in the region.
“Developing Asean is more than creating a regional
community. It is about creating a dynamic force in
Asia to maximize
the benefits of globalization,” she said.
The
President also said that Asean, with its continued
adherence to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia that has allowed for a peaceful dispute settlement,
has proven that it can “make a difference for peace and
security in
Asia.”
On the
issue of regional security, Mrs. Arroyo reiterated
Asean’s support for a diplomatic and regional solution
to the Korean nuclear issue.
She said
the Asean is “encouraged that the six-party talks aimed
at resolving the nuclear issue have resumed,” but warned
that “much remains to be done.”
“We
welcome the confirmed shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear
reactor and the return of UN inspectors to
Pyongyang.
These developments are historic milestones in the
six-party talk process. The series of positive
developments inspired confidence that the six countries
and major world players are exerting all they can to
bring lasting stability and peace to the region.”
“We in
Asean stand ready to do whatever we can to advance
regional security and stability. And on the part of the
Philippines, until our last day as chair of Asean, we
will continue to strengthen our collective stake in a
stable Korean Peninsula,” she added.
Hours
later, the President met with North Korean Foreign
Minister Pak Iu Chun in Malacañang where they had an
“excellent, very cordial and very friendly” exchange,
said Jong Song Il, deputy director general of the
International Organizations Department of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of North Korea.
Jong
said in a brief meeting with the press that Pak informed
the President that “now the situation is calm. . .It is
the firm position of the DPRK to settle the nuclear
issue on the Korean peninsula through negotiation and
dialogue. We are doing our best efforts to do that. And
at the same time, we are asking the other parties of the
six-party talks also to do their due work specified in
those agreements.”
He added
that in response, the President said she “was quite
impressed by the developments in the Korean peninsula
nowadays and she is very optimistic that those efforts
made by the DPRK will [bear] fruit to settle the nuclear
issue on the Korean peninsula through negotiation and
dialogue.”
Under
the February 13 Action
Plan,
North Korea
agreed to “shut down and seal for the purpose of
eventual abandonment the Yongbyon nuclear facility”
within 60 days. The facility has produced refined
plutonium for use in North Korean nuclear weapons. |
