Aquino: Apec summit important to ‘small’ countries like Philippines

President Aquino delivers a short speech at Centennial Terminal on Tuesday upon his arrival from Honolulu, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines—Back home from taking part in the just-concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Summit in Hawaii, President Benigno Aquino III said early Tuesday that the three-day summit was important to “small” countries like the Philippines amidst the ongoing global economic crisis now hitting hard the United States and Europe.

“For a small country like the Philippines, we could better lead our people to safer and peaceful grounds of prosperity if we strengthen our cooperation with our neighbors. That is the importance of our three-day participation in the 19th Apec Economic Leaders Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii,” President Aquino said in a speech after he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 2.

The President arrived shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday or almost an hour late from his original arrival schedule of past 1 a.m.

President Aquino said the Apec gathering saw 21 economies uniting to stop the financial damage in the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders of these nations also discussed further the sustainable use of energy, creation of more jobs and livelihood and “more importantly, (their commitment) to ensure a strong economy in the region,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President also mentioned his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard whom he thanked for giving $1 billion to organizations like the Philippine Red Cross as assistance to the recent flooding that occurred in some parts of the Philippines following destructive typhoons.

Mr. Aquino also mentioned his meeting with a Chinese Taipei representative. He said he urged Taipei to invest in the country and also suggested the creation of a new mechanism that would provide more benefits for Filipino workers in Taiwan.

Concluding the speech, the President said he was due to leave soon for Bali, Indonesia this time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, assuring the nation that “whether I am here or outside the country, it’s only the interest of the country that I carry.”

Originally posted: 2:32 am | Tuesday, November 15th, 2011