Phl, New Zealand to sign VFA this year

The Philippines and New Zealand yesterday agreed to enhance military and economic ties, committing to finish a visiting forces pact, elevate their relationship to a comprehensive partnership and boost two-way trade.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

President Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said they acknowledged their mutual desire to strengthen their countries' relationship and to lift it in ways that deliver real benefits and advance their shared security and economic interests.

They vowed to maintain and strengthen defense engagements while exploring new frameworks of cooperation to deepen defense ties.

"Both sides committed to the signing of a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement (MLSA) by the end of 2024, and to concluding a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA)," the two leaders said in a joint statement released after their meeting in Malacañang.

The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with its treaty ally the US and Australia. It is also negotiating a reciprocal access agreement with Japan. The commitment to finish a SOVFA came as fresh tensions surround the South China Sea because of China's aggressive means of asserting its expansive maritime claim.