New Zealand, PH start talks on defense pact

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NEW Zealand and the Philippines have begun formal negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) which will pave the way for the conduct of military exercises between the two countries.

The agreement “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,” said Arsenio Andolong, spokesman of the Department of National Defense.

The Philippines has similar agreements with three countries — the Visiting Forces Agreement with the Unites States signed in 1998, SOFVA with Australia signed in 2007, and the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan signed in July last year.

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The RAA with Japan was ratified by the Philippine Senate in December last year. However, the agreement will have to be approved by Japan’s National Diet to make it valid and binding.

The US, Australia, and Japan have been conducting maritime cooperative activities with the Philippines. The US and the Philippines have also been holding the annual “Balikatan” military exercises. Australia and France joined last year’s drills while Japan participated as an observer.

The negotiations for a new visiting forces deal come amid continuing tension between the Philippines and China over a territorial row in the South China Sea.

Andolong said the first round of SOVFA negotiations with New Zealand was held on January 23 in Makati City.

The Philippine delegation was headed by Defense Undersecretary for civil, veteran, and reserve affairs Pablo Lorenzo. The New Zealand side, on the other hand, was led by Ministry of Defense director Kathleen Pearce.

“The first round of negotiations marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand,” Andolong said.

President Marcos Jr and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have agreed to conclude a SOVFA between the two countries during Luxon’s visit to Manila in April last year.

New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, in a meeting with Teodoro on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Laos in November, expressed her country’s “deep concern” over developments in the West Philippines and offered New Zealand’s support to the Philippines.

The DND has said Collins also “highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations and their shared interest in regional security and cooperation.”

Andolong yesterday said the SOVFA will “reinforce” the memorandum of agreement on defense cooperation signed by the DND and the Armed Forces with the Ministry of Defense of New Zealand in 2017.

“The conclusion of this agreement (SOFVA) 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,” he added.

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