The Philippines and New Zealand have initiated formal negotiations on a proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) to strengthen their military cooperation.
The talks in Manila on January 23 brought together top defense and diplomatic officials from both nations, aiming to enhance joint military exercises and defense collaboration.
The agreement would build upon the 2017 Memorandum of Arrangement between their defense ministries and is seen as a milestone ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.
Meanwhile, New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to Mindanao’s development through education and innovation programs, with Ambassador Catherine McIntosh visiting the region to explore opportunities.
Separately, the Philippine Department of National Defense expressed optimism about continued strong defense ties with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration, emphasizing shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 30, 2025
