PH, New Zealand finalize visiting forces agreement | ABS-CBN
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PH, New Zealand finalize visiting forces agreement
PH, New Zealand finalize visiting forces agreement
The Philippine and New Zealand negotiating panels who joined the concluding round of negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Department of National Defense
The Philippine and New Zealand negotiating panels who joined the concluding round of negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Department of National DefenseMANILA – The Philippines and New Zealand have finalized the negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), the Department of National Defense (DND) announced Thursday.
MANILA – The Philippines and New Zealand have finalized the negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), the Department of National Defense (DND) announced Thursday.
The concluding meeting was done by a hybrid arrangement, with Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce leading both country's delegations.
The concluding meeting was done by a hybrid arrangement, with Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce leading both country's delegations.
Both countries are positive in signing the deal in the second quarter of 2025.
Both countries are positive in signing the deal in the second quarter of 2025.
"After finalizing the text of the Agreement, both sides expressed optimism toward the signing of the Agreement in the second quarter of 2025. A SOVFA between the Philippines and New Zealand will bolster defense and military ties between the two countries, enabling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories," the DND explained in a statement.
"After finalizing the text of the Agreement, both sides expressed optimism toward the signing of the Agreement in the second quarter of 2025. A SOVFA between the Philippines and New Zealand will bolster defense and military ties between the two countries, enabling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories," the DND explained in a statement.
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The first round of negotiations between the Philippines and New Zealand started January 23.
The first round of negotiations between the Philippines and New Zealand started January 23.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier stated that an alliance building for SOVFA is "important part of [the] country's initiative to resist China's unilateral narrative to change international law".
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier stated that an alliance building for SOVFA is "important part of [the] country's initiative to resist China's unilateral narrative to change international law".
Aside from New Zealand, the Philippines is also negotiating with Canada and France for potential SOVFA.
Aside from New Zealand, the Philippines is also negotiating with Canada and France for potential SOVFA.
The negotiation comes amid persistent presence of Chinese vessels, especially the CCG vessel 5901 dubbed as "monster ship", near the vicinity of Zambales and within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
The negotiation comes amid persistent presence of Chinese vessels, especially the CCG vessel 5901 dubbed as "monster ship", near the vicinity of Zambales and within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
Among those who are part of Philippine negotiating panel were Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr, DND Assistant Secretaries Marita Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto and Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret, and Department of Justice (DOJ) State Counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla, and Albert Abragan.
Among those who are part of Philippine negotiating panel were Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr, DND Assistant Secretaries Marita Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto and Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret, and Department of Justice (DOJ) State Counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla, and Albert Abragan.
Representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, Catherine McIntosh, and other embassy officials joined the New Zealand delegation.
Representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, Catherine McIntosh, and other embassy officials joined the New Zealand delegation.
The Philippines currently has the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia, and the newly ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan.
The Philippines currently has the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia, and the newly ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan.
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