10 Downing Street, London
6 June 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom met at 10 Downing Street on the final day of the President’s official visit to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
With the theme “Rising Philippines, Strong Britain: Towards a New Era of Mutual Prosperity and Partnership,” the official visit provided an opportunity to reinvigorate the enduring partnership and productive cooperation between the two countries.
President Aquino conveyed his appreciation to Prime Minister Cameron for the warm hospitality and wonderful arrangements extended by the British government and people to him and the entire Philippine delegation. He also relayed the best wishes of the Filipino people to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.
The two leaders had a wide-ranging discussion on the two countries’ state of relationship and agreed to reinvigorate it in many areas through expanding commercial ties, promoting peaceful settlements of disputes, good governance, maritime cooperation, and strengthening international peace and security.
Both leaders were especially encouraged by the extensive economic relations between the two countries, with President Aquino emphasizing that the Philippines offers exciting investment opportunities for British business in energy, infrastructure, business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology and tourism.
President Aquino informed Prime Minister Cameron of the latest developments in the peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and recognized the United Kingdom’s continuing role as a founding and active member of the International Contact Group. For his part, the Prime Minister reiterated his country’s commitment to continue assisting in the Mindanao peace process through the sharing of lessons learned in the Northern Ireland peace process.
The two leaders welcomed the entry into force of the Philippines-United Kingdom Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) which was signed in London in September 2009. The MLAT facilitates information sharing and cooperation in law enforcement and judicial matters to address transnational crime including money laundering, trafficking of women and children, and illicit drug trafficking. The two leaders expressed hope that the Philippines-United Kingdom Extradition Treaty would also enter into force soon.
President Aquino also invited Prime Minister Cameron to be the first incumbent British leader to visit the Philippines.
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