The Philippine negotiating panel, composed of members from the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces (PCVF), met the New Zealand panel for the inaugural round of formal negotiations. (photo: DND)
Ranking officials of the Philippine government met with their counterparts from New Zealand in Manila and started the negotiations for the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) of the two countries, an official of the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
DND Undersecretary Arsenior Andolong said the meeting, which was hosted by the Philippine government on Jan. 23, was an outcome of the meeting between president Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during the latter’s visit to Manila in April 2024.
“The first round of negotiations marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand,” said Andolong.
“The conclusion of this agreement 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.
A SOVFA will reinforce the Memorandum of Arrangement between the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the MoD of New Zealand concerning Defence Cooperation, which was signed in 2017.
It 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.
The Philippine delegation was led by DND Undersecretary Pablo M. Lorenzo and composed of Department of Justice Undersecretaries Raul Vasquez and Dennis Arvin Chan, Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr., Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto, and DND Assistant Secretary Erik Lawrence Dy.
On the other hand, New Zealand delegates were led by Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce and composed of New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Deputy Head of Mission Stacey Kwant, and an analyst from the MoD.
Other members of the New Zealand delegation joined virtually.