GPH, MILF resumes talks to flesh out remaining issues in annexes

From the Philippine Star (Jan 20): GPH, MILF resumes talks to flesh out remaining issues in annexes

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace delegation is set to fly to Kuala Lumpur today for the 35th round of Formal Exploratory Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). GPH chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described Sunday the next round of talks as "crucial" as they intend to settle most of the remaining issues in the annexes on Power-sharing, Wealth- sharing, Normalization and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities.

The annexes, together with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, will make up the comprehensive agreement with the MILF. The panel chair stressed that in the upcoming talks "much work is still needed to find a middle ground on certain core issues. " Both parties are bringing technical experts to provide advice on matters relating to natural resources and transportation. "This is to ensure that we will make informed decisions on these issues, " Coronel-Ferrer said.

The panel chair expressed optimism that both parties will be able to wrap up discussions on the annexes. "However, there may be some items that we would have to confer once more with our respective principals before we seal the texts," she said.

Coronel-Ferrer called on the support of the people to "keep the faith with us as we move closer to completing the Agreement."

http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2013/01/20/899182/gph-milf-resumes-talks-flesh-out-remaining-issues-annexes