The Philippines and New Zealand have completed negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) allowing military forces from both countries to conduct joint exercises and activities on each other’s territories.
Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong announced that the final round of talks concluded on February 18, with both sides expressing optimism about signing the deal in the second quarter of 2025.
The agreement aims to strengthen defense and military ties between the Philippines and New Zealand, enabling their armed forces to collaborate more closely.
The negotiations involved representatives from both countries, with the final talks led by DND Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense Director Kathleen Pearce.
This agreement is expected to reinforce the 2017 Memorandum of Arrangement and mark a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.
PHILIPPINES, NEW ZEALAND WRAP UP DISCUSSIONS ON VISITING FORCES PACT
Latest from News
The national government has launched the “Bagong Bag para sa Mag-aaral” program to provide school bags
A cooperative composed of active and retired military personnel has expanded into the aviation sector with
PhilHealth said it has reached out to the family of a deceased member after a widow’s
The death toll from the recent earthquake in Mindanao has risen to 61, with 54 fatalities
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified operations against scam hubs that have allegedly resurfaced as