Section 1
SECTION 1. It is the national policy to promote and encourage better relations among countries in the Asian region. The Philippines has taken a leadership role in promoting friendly relations. The Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA) is a semi-governmental regional organization for the promotion of better systems and practices of governmental administration and has been active in promoting such working relations for the promotion of good government as a vehicle for the economic and social development of the region. The Philippines is a charter member of EROPA. The other state members are Australia, Republic of China, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and the Republic of Vietnam. The headquarters of the organization are located in Manila. Upon the recommendation of the Executive Council and the General Assembly of EROPA at its meeting in December, 1966, in Tehran, Iran, the Philippines was chosen as the site of the First Asian Foreign Service Course. The Philippine Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs has accepted the honor conferred on it by the EROPA Fourth General Assembly as the site selected for the holding of the course. Participants to the course will be senior foreign service officers of some experience from the ministries of foreign affairs of the governments of the countries in the EROPA region, to study and analyze selected problems of foreign relations, with a view of attaining a deeper understanding of Asian affairs and the position of Asia in a community of nations, to provide the opportunity for improving knowledge and skills required by modern diplomacy and for broadening the outlook of foreign relations with a sense of development and to promote understanding among participants. On the basis of the experience gained in the conducting of the course, it is expected that a center for diplomatic training among countries in Asia will be established. The First Asian Foreign Service Course will be held in Manila and Baguio from August 4 to September 29, 1967. The Civil Service Commission has accepted the responsibility of providing the leadership for the conduct of the course, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The course will be held under the joint auspices of the Philippine Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the EROPA. The Civil Service Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide secretarial and other expert technical facilities.