By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – Finland has offered to send a special representative on peace mediation to study how the Finnish government can support the Philippines in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and share its expertise in post-conflict governance.
The offer was extended by Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomiojia to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia at the sidelines of the 5th Philippines-Finland Political Consultations recently hosted by Helsinki.
Finland has always taken an active part in strengthening democratization, respect for human rights and the rule of law, good governance and functioning civil society in post-conflict areas.
Finland is rated as the top country in the European Union in developing peace-building capabilities. It has a long track-record in international peace operations, having sent 50,000 men and women to serve in some 30 different missions since Suez in 1956.
Finnish civilian experts are currently spread around the world to some 20 missions. They assist the police, judicial systems, border control, war crimes investigation and other public authorities.
Finland troops are also well-educated professionals with special know-how, state-of-the-art technology and time-proven expertise.
During his meeting with Garcia, Tuomiojia welcomed the historic signing of the CAB on March 27 between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that seeks to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao.
Under the pact, a Bangsamoro political entity will be established with greater political and fiscal powers to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The MILF agreed to yield their arms in exchange for the creation of a self-ruled Bangsamoro region.
During political consultations, Finland and the Philippines had substantive discussions on measures to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment, renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, weather forecasting, and education.
The two delegations also exchanged views on regional and international security issues.
The two sides also discussed possible activities to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2015.
The Finnish delegation, headed by Secretary of State Peter Stenlund, welcomed the commitment of the Philippines to good governance, which has resulted in a more competitive and attractive business environment.
The two sides agreed to cooperate with each other in organizing trade and investment missions.
For their part, the Philippine delegation, headed by Undersecretary Garcia, expressed appreciation for the humanitarian support extended by Finland in the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda.”
Acknowledging the extreme weather conditions in recent years, Finland expressed its readiness to assist the Philippines in building its capacity in meteorology, particularly in weather forecasting./PN
