PHL, Islamic Devt Bank held talks on Mindanao projects–DFA

Philippine officials and those of the Islamic Development Bank held discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last month on further expanding development projects in Mindanao, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.   Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago and Consul General to Jeddah Uriel Norman Garibay met with the bank’s officers led by vice president Ahmet Tiktik at IDB headquarters, the DFA said.   "Tago and... Tiktik reviewed IDB's assistance to Muslim Filipinos. The officials discussed ways to further push development projects in the southern Philippines, particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)," according to the DFA.   "Both officials vowed to continue close cooperation and coordination in various fields and to consider coming up with more development projects for the region," the DFA added.   The bank in 1996 pledged $16 million in development assistance to the ARMM after the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front signed a peace pact. —VS, GMA News