RP pushed as ‘speaker for triangulation’

BARCELONA, Spain — The Philippines can be a bridge that will link Europe, Asia Pacific and America.

This was the gist of a speech delivered by former Philippine Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao before the II Conference on Triangulation Spain-Latin America and Asia Pacific organized by the Asian House in this city. Estanislao, a professor in the Asian-Pacific University in Manila and director of the Advisory Council of the presidency of the Philippines, delivered a speech titled "Philippines as the excellent speaker for triangulation."

The conference gathered by main Asian, Latin American and European specialists with the goal of offering a qualified opinion on several aspects of the triangulation on the cooperation perspectives they have from each vertex of the triangle.

Estanislao started his speech by saying that while the Americans always begin with a joke, he would start his own with a triple apology: "The first one, for not speaking Spanish; the second one, for considering Asia as a whole, because Philippines represents a part of the Asian South EAst; and the third one, the weak relation with India, considered Central Asia."

According to Estanislao, "words are one thing and actions a diferent one, and the relations to make them effective must be dynamic and real in order to get pragmatic achievements, not only theoretical ones...The reality of international relations are processes and not government agreements."

He noted the important role that the Philippines plays in the relations among Asia, Europe and America, but he insisted that multilateral relations are currently impossible. At the moment he said the most important thing for the Philippines is bilateral relations beginning in the Asian continent.

"From this country we promote the relations with Asia+3 (Japan, Korea and China) as well as with Europe and the United States, looking at the future and hoping that within 20 years we could speak of the ‘Asian community’ which will include commerce, economy and social and cultural relations," Estanislao said as he pointed out that the Philippines is a mixture of cultures (Asian thinking, American language and Spanish names).

"We know we are not lost in Europe, but the relation with our country neighbors is sometimes even difficult. We are now increasing bilateral relations in order to get common benefits. Against what many people think, China is not a threat for us, but we are prepared to work together," he added.

In conclusion, Estanislao reiterated that the Philippines can play the role of a bridge, a bridge that is always reachable and a valid speaker at any time.