GPH-MILF Joint Statement on the 38th Formal Exploratory Talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14): GPH-MILF Joint Statement on the 38th Formal Exploratory Talks

The Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Sunday closed the 38th round of Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the signing of the Annex on Wealth Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

In a show of true commitment, the Parties extended the meeting, originally scheduled for four days to six days to be able to overcome their concerns and reach an agreement on the Annex. The Parties believe that the Annex, which forms part of the FAB, will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the FAB.

Progress was also made by the Technical Working Group on Normalization and the special team on power sharing. The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) which will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the agreements held its first organizational meeting, led by its Chair Mr. Alistair MacDonald. The Parties gave special thanks to Dr. Steven Rood who transitioned from the International Contact Group (ICG) to the TPMT.

The Parties expressed their appreciation to His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, to His Excellency Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their continued commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.

The Parties also extend their gratitude to the members of the ICG, namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation. They also thank the members of the Technical Working Groups of both Parties which had worked on the Annex on Wealth sharing.

Done this 13th day of July 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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