TARGET ng Pilipinas at Canada na tapusin na ang negosasyon para sa Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) sa mga darating na buwan.
Sa katunayan, sinabi ni Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman na nagpalitan na ng mga texts at drafts ng kasunduan ang dalawang bansa.
“Currently, we’ve exchanged draft texts of a draft agreement. We hope to be able to conclude relatively quickly,” ani Hartman.
“We’re much more optimistic that we will be able to conclude far more quickly, and we really are hoping to advance, you know, in the coming months. Like I said, the reality is we’ve already exchanged texts, drafts,” dagdag na wika nito.
Nito lamang Enero, tinintahan ng dalawang bansa ang isang memorandum of understanding (MOU), kung saan nagsimula ang Philippine at Canadian cooperation ukol sa ‘military education, training exchanges, information sharing, peacekeeping operations, at disaster response.’
Sinabi ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. na ang paglagda sa MOU ay nagpapahayag ng malakas na intensyon ng dalawang bansa na mas maging malalim at mas matibay at malakas pa ang kanilang relasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtahak sa bagong milyahe sa defense relations na maaaring humantong sa VFA.
“The strongest assets we have are the mutual trust and confidence that we have in one another on a people-to-people basis, and because we are dealing with each other in a straightforward, open, and on a rules-based manner, such trust is reinforced and will surpass political changes and the tests of time,” ayon kay Teodoro.
Ang HMCS Montreal, isa sa 12 Halifax-class frigates ng Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), dumating sa bansa nito lamang araw ng Biyernes para sa isang ‘goodwill visit’. Nakadaong ito sa Manila South Harbor hanggang araw ng Martes, Agosto 6.
“The arrival of HMCS Montreal, is another demonstration of the exceptionally close relationship between Canada and the Philippines, especially as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries,” ayon kay Hartman.
“The visit is also a clear demonstration of Canada’s dedication to regional security and stability. As maritime nations, Canada and the Philippines share a common interest in upholding a rules-based international order and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” aniya pa rin.
Sa naging pagbisita ng HMCS Montreal, magsasagawa ito ng ilang aktibidad kabilang na ang professional development at training opportunities kasama ang ‘Philippine Navy, community outreach, at local engagements.’
“HMCS Montreal, together with an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter, has approximately 250 highly trained personnel. It is equipped with extensive anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare weapons, sensor systems, as well as a damage control and machinery control system,” ayon sa ulat.
Ang HMCS Montreal ay dineploy bilang bahagi ng Operation HORIZON, naglalayong palakasin ang ugnayan ng Canada sa international allies nito at palakasin ang relasyon sa like-minded nations. Kris Jose
