CANBERRA, Australia
(via PLDT) -- The Philippines and Australia signed today a Joint Ministerial Statement on
the Australia-Philippines Development Assistance Strategy 2007-11 representing
Australia’s commitment to help the Philippines attain its development goals of
reducing poverty, enhancing economic opportunities and maintaining national stability.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Australian
Prime Minister John Howard witnessed the signing after their meeting and expanded
bilateral meeting at the Parliament House here.
Signing the agreement were Foreign Affairs
Secretary Alberto Romulo and his counterpart Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander
Downer.
It was agreed upon that Australia's aid would
focus on areas of high priority for the Philippines, where Australia's expertise and
experience will have the strongest impact. Under the strategy, Australia would help
the Philippines maintain its progress on fiscal management, investment in infrastructure,
and better income-generating opportunities for the poor.
Australia would also help improve access to school
and better teaching methods, particularly for all children in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Australia would also work with Philippine institutions and communities to support
peace in Mindanao, improve capacity to counter threats from transnational crime, and
strengthen disaster preparedness.
Acknowledging the commitment of the Philippines to
address human rights concerns, both countries also agreed to work together to identify
further practical assistance that Australia may be able to provide to key institutions
dealing with human rights. (full story) released
31 May 2007
