Turkey reiterates support for RP peace process

MANILA,Philippines — Top officials of Turkey have reaffirmed their support for the peace process in Mindanao, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. An article on the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) said Turkish President Abdullah Gul relayed this to DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo during Romulo's visit there. "On the ongoing peace process in the Southern Philippines, President Gul said Turkey, bilaterally and as member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and member of the Peace Committee of the Southern Philippines, affirmed its strong support to the Philippine government’s efforts to establish durable peace and enhance socio-economic development in the south," the DFA said. During his visit to the capital city of Ankara, Romulo also met with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan to discuss Philippine-Turkey bilateral relations. The DFA said both foreign ministers had a one-on-one meeting, followed by bilateral discussions between Philippine and Turkish delegations, and a joint press conference. On the first day of his official visit last Sunday, Romulo received a welcome from President Gul at the Ciragan Kempinski Palace in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. "Secretary Romulo and President Gul reviewed the status of bilateral relations and committed to further enhance and deepen ties in all areas – political and security, trade and investments, cultural and educational, and tourism cooperation. They agreed to take important initiatives this year which marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of RP-Turkey diplomatic relations," the DFA said. Romulo lauded Turkey for its regional and global role as mediator and peace builder. Turkey assumed this year its two-year term as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Turkey is also a major player in the Middle East’s peace and stability. The region is host to more than two million Filipinos, the DFA said. Also, Romulo thanked Gul for Turkey’s active support to the peace process in the Southern Philippines and the recent GRP-MNLF-OIC Tripartite Meeting held in Manila last March 11 to 13. For his part, Foreign Minister Babacan reiterated President Gul’s support to the Philippine government's engagement with the Organization of Islamic Conference in his meeting with Secretary Romulo. Romulo and Babacan committed to complement each other’s initiatives in international and regional interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue. The Turkish Foreign Minister invited Secretary Romulo to the Alliance of Civilization Conference which Turkey will host on April 6 to 7. Babacan also pledged support to the Philippine initiatives on interfaith dialogue. He looked forward to participating in the upcoming NAM Special Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Development to be hosted by the Philippines in December 2009. Also, Babacan welcomed the double taxation agreement and the exchange of instruments of ratification for the investment promotion agreement. The two agreements would enhance the legal and economic framework for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Turkey ranks 16th in the world in terms of economic strength, and 6th in Europe. Both foreign ministers agreed to establish a joint economic business council soon, and to take serious measures to strengthen private business sector ties to further boost bilateral trade and investments. Romulo also briefed Babacan on his meetings with the Turkish business sector, particularly the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Aegean Chamber of Industry in Izmir. In the area of cultural and educational cooperation, Babacan reiterated Turkey’s offer for scholarships to Filipino students. "The two ministers agreed to explore further ways to intensify cultural and educational cooperation, including high level visits and educational exchanges on various levels," the DFA said. After the 90-minute bilateral meeting, the two delegations proceeded to the joint press conference where members of the press witnessed the signing of the bilateral agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion. The agreement, coupled with the investment promotion agreement, is expected to invigorate mutual investments in both countries. Romulo also presented to the Turkish Foreign Minister the Philippine instrument of ratification on bilateral protection and promotion of investments agreement which was signed in 1999. After a working lunch during which both delegations exchanged views on international and regional issues, Romulo and his delegation proceeded to the Kemal Ataturk Mausoleum to lay a wreath on the symbolic grave of Turkey’s modern nation-builder. Secretary Romulo was to conclude his visit to Turkey with a meeting with the Turkish Minister of National Defense. - GMANews.TV