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Manila hails relations with UAE

Mrs Arroyo made the statement during her meeting here yesterday with the UAE delegation, led by Rashid Obeid Al Hafiti, the second deputy speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), to the meetings of the general assembly of the Asian Parliamentary League (APL), which wrapped up sessions in Manila yesterday.

Mr Al Hafiti conveyed Shaikh Zayed's greetings to President Arroyo and her government.

The Manila declaration, approved at the end of the APL meetings, calls for renunciation of violence, terrorism and wars and for embracing candid dialogue as a means to solving differences.

It also calls for respecting sovereignty of countries and not to impose peace by force. It also calls for cooperation in economic and investment fields and rendering assistance and support to poor countries.

The declaration further calls for the implementation of the UN resolutions with regard to the Arab-Israel conflict, which it describes, as a cause for concern.

It also supports the Arab League's resolutions on peace.

The Manila document welcomed the peace treaty signed between China and southeast countries. The APL conference expressed refusal of using weapons of mass destruction and all forms of subjecting peoples to intimidation.

It also stressed the need for getting rid of all manifestations of violence including trafficking in women and children. The forum further calls for enhancement of dialogue among cultures and religions under the aegis of the UN. - Wam

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