Philippines, Indonesia Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri agreed Tuesday to strengthen bilateral ties and build linkages in the cultural, social and economic fields.

During a bilateral meeting held at the presidential palace, both leaders expressed strong hopes for concluding an agreement for greater cooperation on maritime and fisheries, the palace said in a statement.

Megawati arrived here Tuesday afternoon for a two-day visit, the first leg of her trip to all the nine other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is her first trip abroad since she assumed presidency last month.

"I also hope that you and I, like our fathers a generation ago, will have the opportunity to support each other in our aspiration to strengthen the political and economic institutions of our respective nations," Arroyo said during the bilateral talks.

Megawati emphasized the need to conclude an agreement on fisheries and maritime issues that involve matters related to the sea borders of the two countries.

"I hope with us as leaders of the two countries, we can manage to finalize the issue and through concrete manner as well as dialogue, " Megawati said.

Megawati also called for stronger cultural ties between the two countries, saying that Filipino films are very popular in Indonesia.

Arroyo, on her part, asked Megawati to support the revitalization of the East ASEAN Growth Area, which is composed of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, in order to allow growth and development to ensue in this special zone.

The two presidents also pledged to support each other in promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation that would contribute to stability and progress in the region.

In a statement she issued after the talks, Megawati said Indonesia will continue to work closely with the Philippines to contribute to the stability and well-being of the 10-member ASEAN and to ensure that the regional grouping play an important role in the region and in international forums.

Arroyo, on her part, thanked Indonesia for its help in resolving the problem in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and promised to reciprocate Indonesia's assistance by providing "unremitting support" for Indonesia's quest for unity, peace and progress.

Megawati will leave Philippines Wednesday morning to proceed to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia before returning home on August 28.






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