Filtered by: Topstories
News

PH, New Zealand start visiting forces agreement talks


PH, New Zealand start visiting forces agreement talks

The Philippines and New Zealand have started negotiations for their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the DND said the Philippine government hosted the first round of talks in Manila on January 23 with DND Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand’s Ministry of Defense Director Kathleen Pearce.

Among the delegates from New Zealand were Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Deputy Head of Mission Stacey Kwant, and an analyst from the MoD. Other members joined virtually.

Meanwhile, the Philippine delegation included Justice Undersecretaries Raul Vasquez and Dennis Arvin Chan, Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr., Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto, and DND Assistant Secretary Erik Lawrence Dy.

“A SOVFA will reinforce the Memorandum of Arrangement between the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the MoD of New Zealand concerning Defence Cooperation, which was signed in 2017,” the DND said.

“It will enable both countries’ armed forces to elevate their cooperative activities and conduct  exercises in each other’s territories, deepening overall defense and military cooperation,” it added.

The DND pointed out that a commitment to conclude a SOVFA was among the key outcomes agreed between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during the latter’s visit to Manila in April 2024.

“The conclusion of this agreement will be a significant milestone for the overall bilateral relationship between the Philippines and New Zealand, as the two countries will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2026,” the DND said.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from establishing permanent military bases in the country. Through agreements like the VFA, foreign militaries may be allowed to enter the countries for activities.

The Philippines and the United States have a VFA that became effective in 1999 and now serves a legal framework that allows US forces to visit Manila temporarily for military exercises and give humanitarian and disaster-response assistance.
Also, the Philippines had a similar deal with Australia that was signed in 2007.
The Philippines in the past years has expanded maritime and defense security cooperation with other countries amid the tensions with China in the West Philippines Sea. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

 

More Videos