Page 33 - SEPTEMBER 2017 A ISSUE

September 2017 – No. 17 • UK & Europe Edition PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD www.hello-philippines.com 33

DFA Convenes ASEAN-China Seminar
on Cooperation in South China Sea
EXPERTS from the Philippines the member states of the Association a comprehensive and durable
along with those from other ASEAN of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) settlement of the disputes.
member-states and China are meeting and China, as well as representatives
in Manila this week to build on the from think tanks and the academe, This is the second such seminar
gains that have been achieved so far will exchange views on how to further convened by the DFA. The first
in efforts to build peace and stability in enhance practical cooperation between seminar, which the DFA organized in
the South China Sea, the Department of ASEAN and China in the South China 2015, focused discussions on peaceful
Foreign Affairs said today. Sea. settlement of disputes and what
constitutes “self-restraint” as it applies
In a statement, the DFA said it “The seminar highlights the to activities of claimant states in the
will host the seminar on the full and commitment of the Philippines to South China Sea.
effective implementation of the 2002 implement the DOC while we continue Paragraph 5 of the DOC calls on all
Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the with efforts to craft a substantive and parties to the dispute to “exercise self-
South China Sea (DOC) on August 28 effective Code of Conduct,” Secretary restraint in the conduct of activities that
and 29. Cayetano said. would complicate or escalate disputes
and affect peace and stability”. n Philippine
“The seminar seeks to build on what “These practical measures are
we have achieved so far in our efforts essential in ensuring that the region Embassy Philippines | August 28, 2017
to build trust and confidence among the remains peaceful and stable, and that
parties involved in the South China Sea the interests of coastal states like the PH Expresses Grave Concern Over Latest NoKor
issue,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Philippines are protected,” the Secretary Missile Launch; Calls On Pyongyang to Start Dialogue
Peter S. Cayetano said. added.
The Philippines expressed its grave The missile, which was launched at 5 an environment that would be conducive
“The seminar also seeks to boost Paragraph 6 of the DOC calls concern over the firing by the Democratic a.m. Philippine time, set off warnings for for dialogue.”
regional efforts to ensure peace and on ASEAN and China to “explore People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) this people to take emergency shelter.
stability in the South China Sea, to or undertake cooperative activities morning of a ballistic missile that flew The Secretary said he has instructed the
help prevent maritime accidents, and [including] marine environment over Japanese airspace. “We recall the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Philippine Embassy in Tokyo to continue to
to preserve and protect the marine protection, marine scientific Statement on Developments in the Korean closely monitor the situation and to ensure
environment and promote sustainable research, safety of navigation and “We call on the DPRK to halt these Peninsula issued on August 5th and urge the that approximately 242,000 Filipinos living
fisheries,” Secretary Cayetano said. communication at sea, search and dangerous and provocative actions, DPRK to fully comply with its obligations and working in Japan are safe.
rescue operations and combatting which heighten tensions, increase under the relevant United Nations Security
Senior diplomats, policy-makers and transnational crime [at sea]” pending instability and the risk of miscalculation, Council Resolutions,” Secretary Cayetano “I wish to assure our kababayans in
maritime cooperation scholars from and could possibly endanger lives,” said after he was briefed on the incident. Japan that our Embassy in Tokyo and our
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Consulate General in Osaka are prepared
DFA Offers Sympathies to Cayetano said in a statement. “ASEAN and the Philippines, as this to assist them should it be necessary,”
Victims of Powerful Texas Storm; year’s Chair, remain committed to peaceful Secretary Cayetano added.
Reports No Filipino Casualties The Secretary issued the resolutions of conflict,” Secretary Cayetano
statement shortly after Pyongyang said. “While we are ready to do our part, This is the second time the DPRK fired
launched the missile that flew over the provocations such as this latest missile a missile over Japanese airspace. The first
northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. launch should stop to help us put in place missile launch was in 1998. n Philippine

Embassy Philippines | August 29, 2017

THE Department of Foreign Affairs Consulate General in Los Angeles and Undersecretary Manalo Makes Milestone Official Visit to Uruguay for High-Level Bilateral Consultations

expressed its sympathies over the the Honorary Consulate in Houston BUENOS AIRES – The relations between bilateral cooperation, and on the need to to reinvigorate the partnership between the

reported deaths in Texas in the wake of continue to monitor the effects of the the Philippines and Uruguay reached further stimulate political and economic Philippines and Uruguay, as part of the effort

what has been described as one of the storm, such as flooding, damage to a milestone with the first-ever official exchanges between the Philippines to deepen engagement with Latin America as

most devastating storms in the southern property and power disruptions, which bilateral visit by a senior Filipino official to and Uruguay. They agreed to explore envisioned under the “Bridge Build Bridge”

state’s history. are expected to affect members of the Uruguay recently. specific bilateral activities and projects policy of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter

Storm Harvey, which triggered Filipino Community. Upon the invitation of the Uruguay to promote trade and investments and Cayetano. This also bodes well for our plan

massive flooding in Houston and According to Consul General Adelio government, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary further areas. They also agreed to exert to convene the first ever formal bilateral

surrounding areas, left at least five Angelito Cruz, there are approximately for Policy Enrique A. Manalo met with effort to implement existing MOUs, such consultation mechanism between the two

persons dead and more than a dozen 70,000 members of the Filipino Uruguay Vice Foreign Minister for Policy as on agriculture and on sports, with both countries as soon as possible”, remarked

injured, according to the Department of Community in Houston, the fourth Enrique Loedel for high-level consultations officials noting that their meeting could Undersecretary Manalo.

Foreign Affairs. largest city in the United States; 5,000 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in serve as a political impetus for sustained The meeting was highlighted by
The DFA, quoting initial reports in Rio Grande Valley; and another
5,000 in San Antonio. Montevideo on 23 August 2017. and productive collaboration between each the signing of the Memorandum of
from the Philippine Consulate General
in Los Angeles said none among the Consul General Cruz said Houston- Undersecretary Manalo was the highest country’s other government agencies. Understanding between the Foreign Service
80,000-strong Filipino Community in based Honorary Consul Ethel
Houston and surrounding areas has Mercado has been providing regular Filipino official to make a bilateral visit to They also had an exchange of views on Institute of the Philippines and the Artigas
been reported to be among the dead or updates and has not reported any
injured. Filipino casualties. Uruguay since diplomatic relations were a wide range of regional and international Institute of Uruguay. The MOU is envisioned

“Our hearts go out to the people of He said both the Consulate General established between the two countries on developments, including the fight against to boost people-to-people exchanges
Houston, including the thousands of and the Honorary Consulate remain on
our kababayan, who have to go through alert as the storm, which dumped more 29 December 1975. terrorism, drug trafficking and other between the two countries through their
this terrible ordeal,” Foreign Affairs than 26 inches of rain in Metro Houston
Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in in the past two days, is expected to The two senior officials had a transnational crimes. respective diplomatic academies. n Philippine
a statement issued upon his arrival from trigger “catastrophic flooding” in next
Kuala Lumpur last night. few days. comprehensive discussion on the state of “These high-level consultations will serve Embassy Philippines | August 30, 2017

“We offer our deepest sympathies to Consul General Cruz said Filipino Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (right) and Ambassador
the families of those who lost their lives nationals in the affected areas who may Enrique Loedel (left), Director General for Political Affairs of Uruguay
in this disaster,” Secretary Cayetano require assistance can call the Consulate Foreign Ministry signs the Memorandum of Understanding between the
said. “We will continue to pray for General in Los Angeles at +1 (213) Foreign Service of the Philippines and the Artigas Institute of Uruguay.
Houston and its people.” 587-0758. n Philippine Embassy Philippines |

Secretary Cayetano said the August 29, 2017