BANGKOK, Thailand, March 22 (PNA) -- Foreign Affairs
Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo praised the completed ASEAN visits of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte by
emphasizing the importance of agreements between
countries, including a framework on code of conduct, to promote cooperation,
stability, and sustainability during a press briefing held Wednesday at the
Mandarin Oriental.
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Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha with President Rodrigo
Duterte
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“The purpose of the Code is to see how we can manage
disputes carefully, not to raise tensions, not to escalate tensions,” Manalo
said.
The details of the framework will be under continuing
negotiations and discussions, to be based on the “key principles of mutual
respect and mutual benefit.”
Manalo summarized the positive results of President
Duterte’s official visits to Myanmar and Thailand, which caps the ASEAN-wide
introductory visits he has made since assuming office in July 2016.
Joining Manalo in the panel were Trade Secretary Ramon
Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Executive Director Arnel del Barrio
of the Philippine Carabao Center of the Department of Agriculture, Sen. Allan
Peter Cayetano and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who led the
briefing.
The meetings in Myanmar with President U Htin Kyaw and
other officials such as
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Myanmar President U
Htin Kyaw Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
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State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said Manalo,
“reaffirmed the friendship and excellent relations” between the two countries,
spanning six decades.
Synergy
In Bangkok, President Duterte issued a joint statement
with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, recognizing “the synergy to further deepen
and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to work together to
strengthen the ASEAN Community.”
Common areas of cooperation identified with the two
countries are on trade, tourism, agriculture, defense and security,
intelligence, science and technology, cultural exchange, education, energy, and
humanitarian assistance and development cooperation programs.
On a more specific note, Del Barrio shared that the
Philippines and Thailand reached an understanding “to establish and promote
cooperation and exchange in the areas of swamp and dairy buffalo.” The
cooperation gives a boost to researchers and scientists to expand collaborative
opportunities to exchange knowledge and techniques that will mutually benefit
both agricultural countries.
Teo, meanwhile, is eyeing to improve the marketing and
promotion of the Philippines in relation to Thailand.
"I would like to see more Thai people coming to the
Philippines," the Tourism Secretary said. Thailand has promised to start
flying its airline to Cebu and Davao and back to Bangkok.
Balance
Trade Secretary Lopez shared the good news that Thailand
made a commitment "to help us balance the trade" between Thailand and
the Philippines. Currently, Thailand is the country's sixth largest trading
partner.
"But they have a trade surplus. In other words, mas
malaki po ang export nila sa atin, kaysa 'yung export natin sa kanila,"
Lopez explained to illustrate the need to balance trade between economies.
Myanmar hosts some 800 Filipinos as overseas workers. Thailand
has more than 14,000 Filipinos, with a number working as English teachers,
engineers, and other professionals.
In Myanmar, President Duterte extended a pledge worth USD
300,000 to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as humanitarian assistance to Myanmar's Rakhine
State, the Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary confirmed.
Asked about whether the Philippines is going to file a
protest against China on its planned construction of an environmental
monitoring station, Manalo said that the Philippines is seeking clarification
with China, but at the same time is "maintaining a regular close watch
over Scarborough Shoal."
Cayetano explained the diplomatic stance of the President
who in a statement expressed cognizance that “the respect for freedom of
navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is in the interest of all
countries within and outside the region."
Both Myanmar and Thailand reiterated full confidence and
support to the Philippines as host of the ASEAN Summit this year.
Manalo is aware that the negotiations among the countries
may not be always easy, considering the differences in each country’s
background, history, and present needs.
“But I think with enough will, I think we can move
forward,” he said. (PNA)
PND
