Asean to confront Myanmar issue, terrorism, energy security — Romulo

Under the Philippine chairmanship, Asean would deal decisively with challenges confronting the region, including the issue of Myanmar and energy security, push for a convention on counter-terrorism, and come up with its own charter to make the group a more powerful player in world affairs, President Arroyo said yesterday.

In her speech at the 39th anniversary celebration of Association of Southeast Asian Nations at Malacañang, Mrs. Arroyo also cited the "reassuring presence of Asean humanitarian power" in countries devastated by natural calamities like tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

This is the first time that an Asean summit will be chaired by a Philippine president while the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Organization — the organization of the region’s parliamentary leaders — is headed by Speaker Jose de Venecia. De Venecia was elected president of the 23rd AIPO general assembly during its last meeting in Vientianne in September last year.

The AIP general assembly is scheduled in Cebu City from Sept. 10 to 15, while the Asean leaders summit will also be in Cebu later in the year.

"The twin Philippine chairmanships of the region’s top executive and parliamentary organizations have further propelled the Philippines to political prominence in Asean in the midst of pressing issues facing the region’s peoples," De Venecia said in a statement.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Asean theme as selected by the Philippines is "One Caring and Sharing Community."

Mrs. Arroyo said the Philippines will push for greater cooperation in energy security, including a joint energy venture with Indonesia in the Southern Mindanao-Sulawesi border.

"We will push for initiatives that will make Asean a shining institution that cares for its people or its environment and one that truly shares resources for uplifting the disadvantage, integrating the marginalized and realizing the common good," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"At the apex of our dreams is an Asean charter. A legal organization with a juridical personality bound by institutional rules and standards empowered to engage the world in more constructive and powerful ways," she said.

Romulo said Asean members realize the great impact of rising oil prices to its goal of economic integration. "Tapping alternative sources of energy and promoting efficiency in the energy sector will be the priority."

Mrs. Arroyo said peace and security is vital to promote free and fair trade in the region that is inhabited by 600 million people, producing almost $1 trillion annually that Asean would push for the drafting of a convention on counter-terrorism.

"By pushing for a convention on counter-terrorism, we will advance team work in the fight against evil," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She also called for a closer cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was founded in 2001 and composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to "widen the reach of Asean."

She vowed that Asean would continue to work for the protection of its migrant workers, noting that there are many Asian workers in the Middle East, including two million Filipinos. — With Aurea Calica