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Arroyo and Megawati Pledge to Work Together
JAKARTA, Aug 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The two presidents of the Philippines and Indonesia, both women, agreed on Tuesday to pursue vigorous economic and political relations and a bond of friendship.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri held a one-on-one talk for nearly 30 minutes, and were later joined by their respective Cabinet members in a closed-door meeting.
In meetings, the Philippines thanked Indonesia for actively supporting the administration's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Indonesian government, during the time of President Suharto, assisted the Philippines in reaching a solid peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) culminating in the creation of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Arroyo said that Indonesia assisted the Philippine government in peace negotiations without intruding on the country's sovereignty.
In return, the Arroyo vowed to support the Indonesian government's "quest for unity, peace and progress under its inherent constitutional standards and lofty national ideas."
Megawati, on the other hand, assured Arroyo of the creation of more bilateral agreements tasked to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The Philippines and Indonesia have already inked a total of 26 bilateral agreements concerning forestry, tourism, social security, labor and manpower development, education and fisheries.
Megawati said that the years ahead would pose new challenges to the Southeast Asian region, and ensured that Indonesia would work closely with the Philippines to ensure stability and peace in the region.
"I'm confident that in the coming years, Indonesia and the Philippines will find new opportunities to enhance our bilateral ties and multilateral cooperation.
"As a neighbor and partner, Indonesia will continue to work closely with the Philippines to further strengthen our relations and work towards our common interest of ensuring continued regional peace, stability and prosperity," Megawati stated.
The two countries will also enforce stricter controls on arms contraband by Muslim groups and other syndicates.
Philippines sources said the arms usually reach their shores through West Iriyan in Indonesia. The Filipino government said it was confidant Megawati's government would help it deal with the influx of small arms and light weapons.
The two presidents issued a joint press statement at the Philippines presidential palace where Megawati met with Arroyo.
Both Megawati and Arroyo owe accession to the presidency of their countries to a string of events that bear strong resemblances.
They both were holding the seat of vice president before becoming presidents after impeachment of their predecessors and both are facing similar economic and uprising problems in their countries.
Their fathers, both past presidents of their respective countries, were friends and both Arroyo and Megawati reminisced on their fathers' brotherhood.
Arroyo's father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, was the frequent guest of former Indonesian leader Ahmad Sukarno during their years in government.
"We agreed that since our fathers, President Sukarno and President Macapagal, were like brothers, we should also be like sisters supporting each other in finding solutions to the problems that we inherited in our respective countries," Arroyo said.
Referring to Megawati as "the champion of democracy", Gloria thanked the Indonesian government for facilitating the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MNLF.
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
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