LAOS (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 5, 2012) – More investments are expected for the Philippines – particularly Mindanao – from the European Union, Norway and Switzerland, following bilateral talks between President Benigno Aquino, and representatives of said foreign governments, officials said Monday.
Philippine Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the President was also commended on the development in the peace process, particularly on the recent signing of the framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The bilateral talks were held shortly before the formal opening of the 9th Asia-Europe Summit, with the President “in an upbeat and optimistic mood” following the talks, especially the one with Swiss Confederation President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf.
During the talk with the Swiss leader, Aquino thanked the government of Switzerland for the offer to assist in disaster and risk reduction management, according to Coloma.
EU Council President Herman von Rompuy and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, on the other hand, expressed their concerns on enhancing maritime security and Philippine compliance on international civil aviation standards.
“The EU has a higher stake in the quality of seafaring and the Philippines is the biggest supplier of world-class seafarers and maritime workers. The EU has high interests on our compliance to maritime and aviation role because we account for one out of three seafarers,” Coloma said.
Some of these seafarers hail from Mindanao and have been trained from Mindanao-based maritime training schools in Davao, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro Cities.
Meanwhile, Norway Prime Minister Jon Soltenberg gave assurance for Norwegian support in efforts to land migrant workers particularly those classified under the health care industry, on better jobs.
Aquino is here for the two-day 9th ASEM Summit which comes every two years as an effort to enhance friendship and cooperation between and among 48 countries in Asia and Europe. He met the Filipino community in the capital city of Vientiane. (Frencie Carreon)
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