Noy to have bilateral talks with Aussie, Japan PMs

NAYPYIDAW – President Aquino is set to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott when the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit opens in the Myanmar capital today.

This is contained in the media briefing kit that the Presidential Communications Operations Office has distributed to Filipino reporters in Naypyidaw.

Aquino will have a “bilateral meeting” with Abe at 4 p.m. today.

He will also have a “pull aside meeting” with Abbott at 6:30 p.m. 

It is not known if the agenda would cover the West Philippine Sea.

Japan and Australia may be interested in that topic.

Japan also has a territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

Australia is reportedly sympathetic to the Philippines on its territorial dispute with China.

Aquino flew directly to Naypyidaw after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing.

He will also attend the launching of the ASEAN Institute of Green Economy and gala dinner hosted by Myanmar President U Thein Sein.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz said ASEAN heads of state will exchange views on ASEAN Community 2015 and Beyond (Greater Asean Connectivity) and regional and international issues.

Aquino will also attend the 25th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session, the 12th ASEAN-India Summit, the 17th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 6th ASEAN-UN Summit and the 40th ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit in Naypyidaw today.

Tomorrow he will join other leaders in the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session, the 2nd ASEAN-US Summit, the 17th ASEAN-China Summit and the 17th ASEAN Plus Three Summit.

On the same day, Aquino will  meet the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

At the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session, leaders will talk about climate change, disaster management, pandemic diseases and non-traditional security issues.

Ebola

Philippine Ambassador to Naypyidaw Alex Chua expects Aquino and other ASEAN leaders to discuss the Ebola virus and climate change.

Speaking to RTV Malacañang on Monday, Chua said he sees these non-traditional issues, including  the evolving regional security architecture, to be high on the agenda.

The attendance of Aquino, who arrived late last night, highlights Philippine support for Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year, he added.

This year’s summit theme is “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community.”

High on the agenda of Asian leaders is the ASEAN Integration in 2015.

Chua said Aquino and other ASEAN leaders will discuss barriers and preparations to realize an Integrated ASEAN to benefit the region, including Filipinos in Myanmar in terms of unimpeded movement of people, goods and services.

“As founding member of ASEAN, the Philippines will push for ASEAN’s centrality, as well as important regional issues such as disaster adaptation and mitigation, maritime security, economic integration and ASEAN community building,” he said.

“It is important for the Philippines to create awareness on the country’s priorities in the region such as disaster adaptation and mitigation, maritime security and the need to focus in the region’s micro, small and medium enterprises among others.”