Joint Statement on the Inaugural Meeting of India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation
March 15, 2011
At the invitation of Shri S. M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, H. E. Mr. Albert del Rosario, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Minister) of the Philippines visited New Delhi on 15 March 2011 for the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. A bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for the year 2011-13 was signed during the visit. The two sides also announced the establishment of a Joint Working Group on cooperation in Counter Terrorism.
2. Secretary del Rosario and Minister of State Smt Praneet Kaur (MOS) held comprehensive discussions covering all aspects of bilateral relations and multilateral issues such as the United Nations Security Council reforms, ASEAN-India cooperation, the fight against international terrorism, transnational crimes and disaster management.
3. The Ministers noted that the bilateral Partnership has evolved over the years to cover a wide gamut of areas of mutual interest. The Ministers reviewed the progress following the 9th Foreign Policy Consultations held in Manila in October 2009. The two sides also agreed to convene the next meetings of Joint Working Groups on Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Tourism, and Health and Medicine later this year.
4. The Ministers were pleased to note that the target of US$ 1 billion in bilateral trade by 2010, set by the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment at its 10th (last) meeting in New Delhi during 21-22 November 2008, was met. The Ministers called for greater cooperation between the business and industry sectors of both countries, and in this regard appreciated the initiative of the Government of India in organizing the First ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave from 02 to 06 March 2011. India looks forward to the early notification of India-ASEAN FTA in Goods by the Philippines and expressed hope that the utilization of Agreement will increase in the coming years.
5. The two sides were encouraged by the recent import of capital goods from the Philippines to India in the form of two 175,000 dead weight tonne (dwt) container ships (MV Rahi and MV Vanshee) bought by an Indian company from an enterprise in the Philippines, the naming ceremony for which was attended by H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III in January 2011.
6. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council through its expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories, with increased representation of developing countries in both, in order to improve its efficiency, representative-ness, and legitimacy, and for it to better meet the contemporary challenges faced by the international community.
7. MOS welcomed the announcement of initiation of flights of the Philippine Airlines between Manila and Delhi six times a week; the inaugural flight is scheduled on March 28, 2011. MOS expressed hope that this move will facilitate greater people to people interaction between the two countries. Both Ministers stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in sectors such as Tourism, Agriculture, Health, Energy, Education and Culture.
8. Secretary del Rosario, on behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III, extended an invitation to Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of the Republic of India to visit the Philippines.
9. The Ministers agreed to have closer coordination in the regional and multilateral fora. MOS said that she looked forward to the possible first visit of H.E. Mr. Benigno S. Aquino-III, President of the Republic of the Philippines to India for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in 2012.
10. The Ministers reviewed the progress of the 3rd Security Dialogue held in Manila in October 2009 and agreed to rename it as “Strategic Dialogue” to broaden its scope. The Ministers urged the early convening of the first meeting of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC).
11. The two Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and resolved to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism. In this regard, they decided to convene the first meeting of the JWG on Counter Terrorism later this year.
12. Secretary del Rosario thanked the External Affairs Minister for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit and invited the External Affairs Minister to visit the Philippines for the next round of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation next year on a mutually convenient date. External Affairs Minister Krishna accepted the invitation with pleasure.
New Delhi
March 15, 2011
Source: http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530517480
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét