Friday, April 23, 2021

US, Philippines to continue talks on fixing VFA terms —Lorenzana

From GMA News Online (Apr 23, 2021): US, Philippines to continue talks on fixing VFA terms —Lorenzana (By JOVILAND RITA)



The United States and the Philippines will continue to talk abut tweaking the terms in the Visiting Forces Agreement, whose abrogation has been suspended for six months by President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Friday.

On the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 36th Balikatan Exercise, Lorenzana said he cannot predict President Duterte's decision on the VFA's fate after the suspension of the military pact's termination ends in August.

“Nevertheless the US and the Philippine militaries will continue talks on how we can improve the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he said.

Chargé d'Affaires John Law of the US Embassy in Manila expressed optimism on the matter citing the importance of the agreement for the military partnership of the two countries.

“I would not want to get ahead of the two sides as they are talking. I’m always optimistic that we are going to see positive results from that,” Law said.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/784893/us-philippines-to-continue-talks-on-fixing-vfa-terms-lorenzana/story/

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