Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on Sunday met with Pak Ui Chun, Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) here, as the two officials signed an agreement to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism.
Signed one day before the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings (AMM) formally opens in Manila, the agreement provides a regular forum for the Philippines and the DPRK to discuss on a broad range of issues, according to a news release from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
"This agreement builds on our current efforts to solidify our relations with DPRK. It is also concrete proof of both the Philippines and DPRK's commitment and desire to further intensify our cooperation on mutual concerns," Secretary Romulo told reporters.
Minister Pak, on the other hand, described the signing of the agreement as "an important phase in our bilateral relations."
Pak also expressed support for the early conclusion of another agreement on cultural exchange.
At their bilateral meeting prior to the agreement signing, Romulo and Pak reaffirmed the Philippines and DPRK's commitment to "further broaden the frontiers of peace in the Asia-Pacific region."
Pak is on an historic official visit to Manila back-to-back with DPRK's participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum. Pak is the first foreign minister of the DPRK to visit the Philippines, the DFA said.
Pak's official visit is conducted only a month after Romulo concluded his visit to the DPRK, it said, adding that Romulo is the first Philippine foreign minister to visit DPRK since the two nations established formal diplomatic relations on July 12, 2000.
The Philippines is the current chair of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the host country of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings, Post Ministerial Conferences and 14th ASEAN Regional Forum.
Source: Xinhua
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