The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in April, according to the Department of National Defense (DND).
Speaking at the 49th founding anniversary of the Western Command (Wescom), DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. confirmed that discussions on the Philippines-New Zealand VFA have been finalized and that the agreement is scheduled for signing next month.
Teodoro also revealed that the final round of negotiations for a similar VFA with Canada has been completed.
The DND previously stated that the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and New Zealand will strengthen defense and military ties between the two nations.
The agreement will allow joint training exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) within each country’s territory.
The Philippines currently has VFAs with the United States, signed in 1999, and Australia, signed in 2007.
In recent years, the Philippines has expanded its maritime and defense security cooperation with multiple countries amid tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea dispute.