Historic six-party talks ministers call on PGMA to boost trust, confidence - Romulo
Manila (1 August) -- In a historic first, the ministerial officials of the Six-Party Talks on the Korean peninsula issue gathered together in one room last night and reiterated their common desire to see a successful end to the talks.
The Foreign Ministers of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and the Special Envoy of the United States called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacaņang.
"It was both historic and very moving," according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, who was with the President during the call and who had arranged the milestone event.
"Every member of the Six-Party Talks thanked the President for this opportunity and assured her of their determination to see a successful end to the talks," Secretary Romulo said.
The Secretary added that the officials present recognized that this was a historic first and an important contribution to the success of the talks.
"There have been many positive developments lately on the Korean peninsula. Every country in the region and even the world wants to see a peaceful resolution to this issue. President Arroyo felt that the Philippines should do what it can, as Chair of ASEAN, to help move the process further forward," Secretary Romulo said.
He said that President Arroyo acknowledged the key role that each member of the Six-Party Talks has been playing in the recent successes and called on all of them to continue with their great work of diplomacy and peace.
"The President also expressed confidence in the desire of all parties to arrive at a peaceful resolution, saying that the whole region and the entire world would welcome and be grateful to the members of the Six-Party Talks for their success," Romulo said. (PIA) [top]
