MOFAT's First Vice Minister Park Suk-hwan met with Erlinda Basilio, the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy, in Seoul on May 20 for the 4th Korea-Philippines Policy Consultation. In the meeting, the two sides had an in-depth discussion on bilateral issues, including ways to enhance cooperation in political affairs, trade and investment, development cooperation and protection of the peoples of the two countries, as well as ways to work together on regional and international stages.
Vice Minister Park appreciated the development of friendly and cooperative ties that Korea and the Philippines have seen in a wide range of sectors, including politics, economy and culture, based on such common values as democracy and market economy, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949. Meanwhile, Undersecretary Basilio mentioned that the Philippines, as one of Korea's allies, has put top priority on maintaining friendly and cooperative ties with Korea. Also, she noted with satisfaction that the visit to Korea by Foreign Minister Romulo and the one to the Philippines by the
National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae this year contributed to further solidifying the bilateral ties.
The Vice Minister and the Undersecretary took note of the fact that bilateral trade and investment are expanding, as can be seen by the two-way trade volume forecast to surmount the US$10-billion mark this year as well as increasing Korean investment in the Philippines. Vice Minister Park asked for the Philippines' interest in and support for Korean businesses actively seeking entry into the Philippine market.
Vice Minister Park explained the Korean government's plan to implement development cooperation in the way that will largely contribute to fostering the Philippines' productivity and capabililty, particularly in the fields of rural development, public health, and transportation, in line with the country's mid-term development plan. Furthermore, he requested the Philippine government's interest in and support for the project to build an agro-industrial complex, about which a feasibility study had been concluded.
Vice Minister Park extended appreciation to the Philippine government for its efforts to ensure the safety of some 120,000 Korean residents and 740,000 Korean tourists in the country, including the establishment of the Korean Desk at the Philippine National Police last year. He added that the Korean government, on its part, will take continued interest in and make efforts to ensure the safety of the Philippinos in Korea. Undersecretary Basilio responded that the Philippine government will continue strong efforts to protect Korean residents and tourists, while asking for the Korean government's interest in and support for the safety, employment and livelihood of the Philippinos in Korea.
The Vice Minister and the Undersecretary exchanged views on the regional situation, including that of the Korean peninsula, and agreed to continue consultations on such global issues as climate change and counter-terrorism cooperation. The Vice Minister, in particular, called for the Philippines' interest in and support for the Korean bid to host the COP 18 (the 18th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
