The Philippines and New Zealand are in the process of soon having joint military training exchanges as the two governments are already expediting the forging of their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
President Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday, April 18, agreed to step up both nations’ defense partnership as they envision the need to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Marcos and Luxon agreed there must be a SOVFA—an agreement concerning the status of visiting forces between two nations—before their troops could have exchanges.
They also committed to sign by 2024 the Mutual Logistics Supporting Agreement (MLSA), which will provide a solid framework for both parties' defense organizations to enhance interoperability.
These moves came as both expressed serious concern over what is happening in the South China Sea. They also stressed the need to uphold international law and the freedom of navigation and overflight.
They reaffirmed the need for all states to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes and reiterated that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, according to their joint statement.
New Zealand recognized the 2016 arbitral award, which is final and binding, just like the Philippines.
"The two leaders reaffirmed that all parties must fully implement the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and reiterated their support for ASEAN-led efforts for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that upholds the legitimate rights and interests of all parties and is consistent with UNCLOS," their statement read.