Don Chan Villa, Vientiane, Lao PDR
5 November 2012

Before the formal opening ceremony of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9), President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of the Kingdom of Norway in the latter’s official residence at Don Chan Villa in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The two leaders discussed Norway’s continued role in the peace processes, having been the facilitator of the GPH-CPP/NPA/NDF Peace Talks. President Aquino also informed Prime Minister Stoltenberg of the recent signing of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that is envisioned to seal a genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao.

They also tackled the strengthening of bilateral maritime and labor cooperation since there remains a high demand for highly skilled Filipino workers in Europe, including Norway.

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