and to realize that all of us, although we belong to different countries in the Asian region, have common goals and have shared values as we face the third millennium.

So, I would like to express a personal note and say how happy I am to see all of you again, many of us are really I would say scarred veterans of many drafting groups and resolutions in Cairo and Beijing and Copenhagen and maybe we shall see each other in Rome again. But I think you can call this the Asian and the women's Mafia in the parliamentarians' group all over the world and I really would like to say how happy we are that you are here in the Philippines.

I must express some regret that I have not been able to be with you more often, but we are really at the height of our legislative activities. But at least, Congresswoman Oreta and I have really tried to give our very best and utmost time so that we could spend more time with you. And I would like to apologize for any shortcomings which, as hosts, we may have overlooked, but I would like to say how happy we are to see you again and it is with a lot of affection and with a lot of pride that we have received you in our country.

I would like to bide my special thanks to my Japanese sister, Madame Nohno who I know did not maybe sleep too well last night because she chaired the Drafting Group and Doctor Madam Mboi who I think also carried the torch for everybody. But I think we have evolved in this group a kind of sisterhood and a brotherhood which I am sure will carry us to our other meeting in the world and also in this very important region of Asia and the Pacific,

So, on behalf of Congresswoman Oreta and myself, may we wish you a very happy trip back home, Bon Voyage, Sayonara and Maligayang Paglalakbay, as we say in Filipino, but as we say in French Au Revoir, and of course you know what that means. I hope we shall see each other again. Thank you very much (Applause)