MANILA, Philippines—The United Kingdom has commended the Philippines for pushing for an Asean human rights body and for its strong stand on the need for political reforms in Burma (Myanmar), specifically the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
UK’s Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ivan Lewis conveyed the commendation in a meeting with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs led by Undersecretary Enrique Manalo in London on Friday.
According to the British Embassy in Manila, it was the first high-level bilateral talks between the UK and the Philippines.
The dialogue, which finally pushed through after more than two years of preparation by both sides, focused on key issues such as trade, climate change, migration, and the global economy.
“The UK is immensely grateful to the Filipino government for the leading role that [it] has played in the Asean on Burma. The tough statements from the Philippine government on Aung San Suu Kyi and the position [it has] taken on the death penalty are an example to other states in the region,” Lewis said.
Lewis also took note of the “invaluable contribution” of the Philippines in establishing a new Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) human rights body.
“The UK government looks forward to the day when this body makes a substantive contribution towards tackling human rights abuses in the region and we stand ready to help you make that happen,” he told the Filipino contingent.
Lewis also welcomed the active role of the Philippines in international climate change negotiations.
He expressed the hope that the Philippines would join the UK in pushing for an ambitious, equitable and comprehensive new international agreement to tackle climate change during the UN conference in Copenhagen.
He said the UK was committed to working with countries like the Philippines, which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, to ensure that the voices of such countries are heard and taken into account in the run-up to Copenhagen in December.
