1 October 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met Minister of State Hugo Swire of the United Kingdom on September 29 at the sidelines of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Minister Swire asked to meet Secretary del Rosario to convey the UK Government’s admiration for the manner in which President Benigno S. Aquino III managed the Zamboanga incident. Moreover, he praised President Aquino for the restraint he showed in addressing this challenge. Minister Swire, through Secretary del Rosario, also extended the UK Government’s “best wishes to the President.”
Secretary del Rosario stressed anew the commitment of the Philippine Government to find just and lasting peace in Southern Philippines and the importance of the peace process to ensure that “peace dividends” are further consolidated by all stakeholders.
On international peace and security, Minister Swire also praised the Philippines for staying on at the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. END