Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  Screenshot from RTVM video

MANILA – The Philippines and New Zealand will sign a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in April after concluding their defense negotiations last month, an ambassador said Wednesday. 

"I'm looking forward to the relationship moving up to the comprehensive partnership next year and the fact that our defense agreement is going to be signed next month," Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh told ANC.

McIntosh took pride that women leaders were part of the negotiating panel for the deal.

PH, New Zealand finalize visiting forces agreement

"The status of visiting forces agreement that has been negotiated with Secretary [Gilbert] Teodoro's team and on New Zealand side, led by women, Ministry of Defense women, embassy, my deputy as a woman as well," the ambassador said. 

"Our defense minister is a woman showing that woman can succeed in areas where traditionally women have not been present in," she added.

The first round of negotiations between the Philippines and New Zealand started on January 23. The deal was finalized nearly a month later on February 20.

The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier said a SOVFA between the two countries "will bolster defense and military ties", enabling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and New Zealand Defense Force to conduct exercises in each other's territories.

Manila has defense deals with the United States, Australia and Japan. It also recently concluded talks with Canada.

PH, Canada conclude talks, set to sign visiting forces agreement

Negotiations for similar defense pact were ongoing between the Philippines and France.