Meeting between Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines

May 24, 2007

On May 24, Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a foreign ministerial meeting with Mr. Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, for about 30 minutes from 10:50. The gist of the meeting is as follows:

Mr. Romulo said that the “Partnership between Close Neighbors for Comprehensive Cooperation” in the Japan-Philippine Joint Statement signed in December last year has been functioning very well, and the Japan-Philippine Summit Meeting held yesterday (May 23) was also meaningful in promoting such partnership.

Then Mr. Romulo said that what was especially important for the cooperative relationship between the two countries was the conclusion of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement as it would benefit the peoples of both countries. Now that concern in the Philippines over the issue of hazardous waste is about to be dissolved by the exchanges of Notes between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, the approval process would go forward in the Senate of the Philippines.

Mr. Romulo also expressed gratitude for Japan’s contribution to peace process in Mindanao such as dispatching an expert for economic development and implementing various kinds of projects. In response, Mr. Aso pointed out that poverty and despair were a breeding-ground of terrorism improvement of living standards through providing aids of various kinds would be meaningful in preventing terrorism.

On the issue of North Korea, Mr. Aso briefed on the latest situation of the Six-Party Talks. Mr. Romulo said that the abduction issue must be solved and promised to continue supporting Japan’s stance on this issue.

Mr. Romulo also said that Japan is a country worthy of permanent membership of the UN Security Council in view of its contributions to the United Nations and the international community, and expressed support for Japan’s accession to the permanent membership and for the Japanese candidate in the next non-permanent member election, for which Mr. Aso expressed appreciation.

On other matters, there was an exchange of views on energy matters. Mr. Romulo stated that Philippines highly valued the Cooperation Initiative for Clean Energy and Sustainable Growth which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe presented at the East Asia Summit in January.

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