Friday, April 25, 2014

European envoys back Bangsamoro peace

From ABS-CBN (Apr 25): European envoys back Bangsamoro peace

Five ambassadors of the European Union, along with 7 other officials, have visited the office of the regional governor in Cotabato City to reiterate their commitment to the Mindanao peace process and development in the region.

The delegation was led by EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux; together with Ambassador Thomas Ossowski of Germany; Ambassador Josef Muellner of Austria; Ambassador Roland van Remoortele of Belgium; Ambassador Massimo Roscigno of Italy; UK embassy charge d'affaires Trevor Lewis; Romania charge d'affaires Mihai Sion; Jan Vytopil, deputy head of mission of the Embassy of the Czech Republic; Hugues Antoine Suin, deputy head of mission of the Embassy of France; Vicente Selles, coordinator of the General Sspanish Cooperation in the Philippines; Edoardo Manfredini, EU program manager; and Thelma Gecolea, EU press officer.

The EU delegation arrived at the office of the regional governor Friday morning and held a meeting with ARMM officials. They were briefed about the accomplishments and projects being implemented by the Hataman administration for the past 3 years.

ARMM executive secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia told EU delegates all the reforms being done by the present administration, including the campaign against "ghost" teachers, students, schools in the ARMM.

Alamia also told them about the ARMM special programs.

They were also briefed on preparations for the Bangsamoro government transition in 2015.

"We are impressed with the presentation. This is the first time that we have given a detailed information on what is ARMM government doing in terms of peace and development in the region," Ledoux said.

After an hour of meeting with ARMM officials, the EU delegation went to camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, for a closed-door meeting with leaders headed by MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

Ledoux told ABS-CBN News that they visited Mindanao to reiterate the EU commitment to the Mindanao peace process and development in the region.

"After the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the completion of the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, a peaceful transition in Mindanao is essential in the Philippines' economic and social development. We are here to support the on-going peace process," he said.

Since 1990, Mindanao has benefited from P9.5 billion in development assistance from the European Union.
 
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/25/14/european-envoys-back-bangsamoro-peace

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