Four-nation development zone to be revived: Vice-president
Four-nation development zone to be revived: Vice-president
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A development zone bordering Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines is to be revitalized after it was stalled by the regional economic crisis, the visiting Philippines vice-president said here Friday.
Vice-President Teofisto Guingona said he had discussed the revival of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"The East Asia Growth Area was disrupted by the crisis as well as problems in the south (of Philippines)," he told a press conference.
"But today considering the peace efforts with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), hopefully it will soon start.
"The determination of (President Gloria) Arroyo's government to improve conditions in the south will revive the BIMP-EAGA. Malaysia has some investments there and we hope it can continue again," he added.
Guingona, here on a one-day visit, said his government hoped to start peace talks with the MILF "as early as possible in June" but added that Manila had not chosen the venue for talks.
The MILF has been waging a 23-year rebellion for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in Mindanao.
Guingona arrived here earlier Friday on the first leg of a Southeast Asian tour. He was due to leave for Brunei later Friday. He will also travel to Singapore before attending the Asia-Europe meeting in China.
He said he would hold general but "frank exchanges" with his Chinese counterpart, Vice-President Hu Jintao, on confidence- building measures in the disputed Spratlys chain of islands in the South China Sea.
The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan are claiming part of all of the potentially oil-rich Spratlys.
Guingona said he would also raise the problem of drugs and possible cooperation to "share in our quest for solutions because we are feeling it in the Philippines."
A senior Arroyo aide has named illegal drugs as the "greatest threat" to Philippine national security, with 1.7 million drug dependents often resorting to crime to feed an annual 5.3-billion-dollar habit.
Arroyo earlier this month blamed "drug-crazed" supporters of jailed former leader Joseph Estrada for the worst street violence in Manila in 15 years, after one-third of over 200 people detained or hospitalized were found under the influence of drugs.