President Benigno Aquino III and British
Prime Minister David Cameron agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Mindanao
peace process and the Philippines’ Public-Private Partnership Program (PPP).
Aquino
and his Cabinet met with Cameron in 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, June 6, to
discuss a host of issues ranging from politics, economy to cultural exchanges
between their two countries.
The
45-minute meeting is part of Aquino’s 3-day official visit to the
United Kingdom. Aquino will fly to the US on the same day.
During
the meeting, Aquino invited Cameron to be the first incumbent British leader to
visit the Philippines. The two leaders also agreed to hold the 3rd round of
Philippines-United Kingdom High-Level Talks in London later this year.
Aquino
also extended through Cameron the Philippines' best wishes to Queen Elizabeth
II on the occasion of her diamond jubilee.
At the
start of the meeting, Aquino thanked Cameron for receiving him and his
delegation "at such a very busy time and short notice."
Cameron
quipped, "We've had a few celebrations this weekend," drawing
laughter from both sides. Watch the video below:
Mindanao,
PPP, Asean
The
joint statement of the two leaders said that “Prime Minister Cameron reiterated
the commitment of the United Kingdom to continue assisting in the Mindanao
peace process, including through the sharing of lessons learned in the Northern
Ireland peace process.”
Aquino
thanked Cameron for the UK’s continuing role as a founding member of the
International Contact Group for the peace process between the Philippines and
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The
Aquino administration and the MILF are in the middle of peace negotiations
aimed at ending the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. The British embassy in
Manila has been closely monitoring the talks, and the UK government has been
supporting key livelihood and development projects in conflict areas in central
and western Mindanao.
Aquino
also invited the British government to encourage investors to participate in
the PPP.
“Cameron
noted that the British government had provided, and would continue to provide,
expertise to the Philippines in shaping its PPP programme and looked forward to
British companies participating in projects.”
The
statement also said that the UK welcomed the Philippines’ leading role in the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“Both
leaders agreed that Asean had a crucial role to play in promoting prosperity
and development in Asia, including by working with its partners to resolve
regional disputes peacefully.”
AYEE
MACARAIG
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