Inanunsyo ng Department of National Defense (DND) na nagsimula na ang negosasyon ng Pilipinas at New Zealand para sa Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) kung saan isinagawa ang unang round ng pag-uusap nitong Huwebes, Enero 23.
“The first round of negotiations marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand. 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,” saad ng DND.
Kabilang sa mga dumalo mula sa delegasyon ng New Zealand ay sina Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Deputy Head of Mission Stacey Kwant, isang analyst mula sa Ministry of Defense (MoD) at iba pang opisyal.
Pagtitibayin ng SOVFA ang memorandum of arrangement sa pagitan ng DND at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kasama ang MoD of New Zealand para sa pagpapalakas ng defense cooperation na nilagdaan noong 2017. – VC
