ASEAN chief commends Arroyo

ASEAN chief commends Arroyo

JAKARTA (AFP): The secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has congratulated new Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and expressed confidence in her support of the regional body.

In a copy of the letter of congratulations dated Jan. 20 and made public here on Wednesday, Rodolfo Severino, a Filipino, also expressed his "heartfelt hope" that Arroyo's presidency would "signify a transition toward strengthened institutions and process of government."

In a speech on Tuesday outlining her foreign policy thrusts, Arroyo told the diplomatic corps in Manila that Philippine foreign policy decisions will have to be made "in the context of ASEAN."

She also stressed the need to defend the nation's maritime territory and natural resources, an apparent reference to the dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea involving China, Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.