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PGMA's Remarks during the Signing Ceremony of the Exchange of Notes for Philippine Economic Cooperation |
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Big Conference Room 4/F, Kantei Tokyo, Japan |
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18 June 2009 |
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Thank you. Thank you Mr. Prime Minister. I thank the government of Japan and Prime Minister Taro Aso for the dialogue we had just had. I need not repeat the points that were recounted now by the Prime Minister. Let me just say that the Philippines values Japan as an extraordinary friend and ally. I have been to Japan many times before including a State Visit in2002 but I have come back again because we want to celebrate the first ever Bilateral Trade Agreement between Japan and the Philippines -- the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement or JPEPA. An important part of our discussion was a significant benefits we can realize from this agreement. Also, the focus of our talks on security issues like, for instance, the issues post by North Korea are important to the Philippines. And it is also important that we discussed avenues and cooperation in the face of the global economic crisis. With JPEPA our bilateral relations are at their highest since the State Visit made by Their Imperial Majesties, then Crown Prince and Princess, to the Philippines during the administration of my father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal. Now, with the entry into force of JPEPA we open a new era of economic relations, and in this very important meeting we discussed how we can further expand and strengthen our bilateral relations based on the smooth implementation of JPEPA. So, once again, I thank Prime Minister Taro Aso for his hospitality as we embark on the new chapter of our strategic partnership. |
