Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, on November 5 (Monday) for approximately 20 minutes from 3:40 p.m. (local time) during his visit to Laos to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9). The overview of the bilateral meeting is as follows. This was the second meeting between the two leaders following the one in September 2011 when President Aquino visited Japan. The two leaders exchanged views in a very friendly atmosphere.

1. At the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Noda welcomed that the outcomes of President Aquino's visit to Japan in September 2011 have been steadily followed up through the visit to Japan by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario (in June) and the first bilateral Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue (in March). The two leaders concurred on continuing close cooperation toward the building of bilateral relations that befit the "strategic partnership" between the two countries.
   
   
2. Concerning the Mindanao Peace Process, Prime Minister Noda welcomed the signing of the "Framework Agreement" under the strong leadership of President Aquino and also conveyed his resolve to continue lending full support for the realization of the final agreement. In response, President Aquino expressed his gratitude for Japan's support so far to the peace process. He also said his meeting in August 2011 with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at Narita, realized by the intermediation of the Government of Japan, led to the historic "Framework Agreement."
   
   
3. The two leaders also shared the recognition that the two countries would cooperate for the upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS) to ensure meaningful discussions on the basis of great progress made in 2011 and that they would help further strengthen the Japan-ASEAN relations in the medium- to long-term taking the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the Japan-ASEAN exchange next year. They also exchanged views on the issue surrounding the South China Sea, among other issues.
   
   
4. Prime Minister Noda explained Japan's position on the Japan-China relationship that the relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan, that Japan had consistently addressed the situation in a calm manner from the beginning and that, as a responsible nation in the Asia-Pacific region, it would continue contributing to regional peace and prosperity.