Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo received this afternoon expressions of support for his leadership of the premier cabinet post during the traditional joint courtesy call of 18 Ambassadors and Charges d’Affaires of European Embassies in Manila held at the Bulwagang Blas F. Ople , DFA.

The European Ambassadors and CDAs, led by the Vice Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of the European Embassies, Ambassador Stanislav Slavicky of the Czech Republic, expressed their full support to the leadership of Secretary Romulo, noting his long years of service in government as a senator, secretary of finance, secretary of budget and management and executive secretary. Secretary Romulo stressed that Europe is still an important region for the Philippines, which would explain why they are mentioned in the eight realities of Philippine Foreign Policy under President Arroyo.

Secretary Romulo thanked the European Union countries for their continuing support of the development efforts of the Philippine Government. He also expressed deep appreciation to the countries of Europe that have been helpful in the peace process. He thanked the Norwegian Government for their contribution in the peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/ National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF). He also cited the European Commission’s invaluable assistance to Mindanao and the generosity of other European countries, namely Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Their generous grants and aid have also contributed to the efforts of attaining stability and progress in Mindanao. “We are grateful for the multimillion dollar contribution of the European Union to the peace process in Mindanao”, Secretary Romulo said.

Secretary Romulo expressed his sincere condolences to the Russian Ambassador Anatoli Nebogatov for the recent tragic massacre of innocent civilians, mostly children who were held hostage by terrorists in their school in Beslan, North Ossetia. Ín reply, Ambassador Nebogatov said “we appreciate the condolences given by the Philippine Government. to the Russian people. The tragic event shows that we must intensify our efforts to combat terrorism.” He suggested that both countries as well as through other regional organizations consolidate their efforts in fighting global terrorism.

Secretary Romulo, in response to the Ambassador’s invitation, reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to combat terrorism and to support international efforts that address the root causes of terrorism. In this respect, the Secretary cited the invaluable assistance of the European countries, along with the friends from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference, for the Philippine Government’s development projects in Mindanao,.

The European Ambassadors requested another dialogue or meeting with Secretary Romulo, suggesting that this could be done on a regular basis. British Ambassador Paul Stephen Dimond reassured the Secretary of their collective support for his leadership of the DFA. Ambassador Dimond also thanked the Philippine Government for acknowledging that Europe is an important partner of the Philippines.

Secretary Romulo also congratulated the representatives from the European Union (EU) countries who will be observing on 9 September 2004 the anniversary of the establishment of the regional organization, and event which the Secretary will attend. Secretary Romulo spoke highly of the cultural values that the nations of Europe and the Philippines share with the Philippines having benefited from the cultural and political legacy of Europe. “ I look forward to meeting your foreign ministers at the coming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be held in Hanoi” to explore ways to further enhance Philippine relations with the EU nations., the Secretary added.

Those who were present at the courtesy call were : Ambassador Christian Krepela of Austria, Ambassador Stanislav Slavicky of the Czech Republic, Ambassador Umberto Colessanti of Italy, Ambassador Robert Arthur Vornis of the Netherlands, Ambassador Pal Moe of Norway, Ambassador Joao Jose Gomes Caetano da Silva of Portugal, Ambassador Anatoli Nebogatov of Russia, Ambassador Annika Markovic of Sweden, Ambassador Tanju Sumer of Turkey, Ambassador Paul Stephen Dimond of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador Johaness de Kok of the European Commission, CDA Jereon Vergeylen of Belgium, CDA Mervi Kultamaa, CDA Bernard Regnauld-Favre of France, CDA Rolf Saligmann of Germany, CDA Doris Marian Serban of Romania, CDA Javier Gonzalez San Juan of Spain and CDA Martin Bienz of the Swiss Confederation.