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Arroyo to visit Colombia after Peru APEC summit


MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will make a sidetrip to Colombia after attending the 16th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Peru. Trade Secretary Peter Favila said Mrs Arroyo would have bilateral talks with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe during her official visit after the APEC summit. She will leave Manila for Peru at 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 and will return at 5 a.m. on Nov. 28. The APEC leaders' summit is on Nov. 22-23. Favila said Mrs Arroyo would have several bilateral meetings in Peru and a possible meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs Arroyo would push for the resumption of Doha talks in Peru, regional security, anti-terror initiatives and the establishment of an Asean support fund in view of the global financial turmoil. Ermita said APEC leaders would also discuss food and energy security and climate change. Based on the list of the official Philippine delegation read by Ermita, the Office of the Press Secretary had the most number of delegates. Ermita said the delegation includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for international economic relations Edsel Custodio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo. He said there are 11 delegates from the OPS led by Press Undersecretary for operations Jose Capadocia. Those from the Office of the President are presidential adviser on special concerns Remedios Poblador, senior deputy executive secretary Susana Vargas and chief protocol Marciano Paynor. He said there are also 19 from the administrative staff, including the security personnel. Ermita said he was informed by presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio that the number of lawmakers who want to join the delegation has been reduced to eight, from the rumored 40. He said Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. talked to some of the congressmen to stay behind. - GMANews.TV
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