MANILA, Philippines – MATAGUMPAY na tinapos ng Pilipinas at France ang two-day second round ng negosasyon ukol sa panukalang Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), araw ng Huwebes.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ni Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, tanda ito ng panibagong mahalagang hakbang para palakasin ang bilateral defense cooperation sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“Both sides described the discussions as productive and constructive, expressing optimism about the outcome of the ongoing negotiations,” dagdag na pahayag ni Andolong.
Para sa second round ng pag-uusap para sa panukalang SOVFA kasama ang Paris, ang delegasyon ng Maynila ay pinangunahan ni Defense Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga, chairman ng negotiation committee.
Samantala, ang French delegation ay pinangunahan naman ni Rear Adm. Jérôme Theillier, pinuno ng International Security Affairs of the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry of the Armed Forces of France.
Hangad ng panukalang SOVFA na makapagtatag ng malinaw na legal framework na gagabay sa presensiya at aktibidad ng visiting forces, sa gayon mapadadali ang mas epektibong military engagements, training, at cooperative activities sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“These talks underscore the shared commitment of the Philippines and France to deepening defense relations, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening cooperation in support of regional peace and stability,” ang sinabi ni Andolong.
Nakikita ang SOVFA bilang haligi sa pagpapanatili ng momentum sa bilateral engagements at pagpapalawak ng avenues para sa practical cooperation.
“Both delegations reaffirmed the importance of upholding a rules-based international order, safeguarding maritime security, and fostering a stable, peaceful, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. In gearing towards becoming long-standing partners, the Philippines and France recognize that closer defense cooperation contributes significantly to collective efforts to address evolving security challenges,” ang litaniya ni Andolong. Kris Jose
