(Joint Statement) Philippines, MILF End 40th Exploratory Talks

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Sep 20): (Joint Statement) Philippines, MILF End 40th Exploratory Talks

THE 40th round of Exploratory Talks between the negotiating panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held in Kuala Lumpur on September 10-20, 2013 ended today with the Parties welcoming the gradual return to normalcy in the lives of the people of Zamboanga City.

The Parties acknowledge the challenge before them to ensure that the peace process between the Government and the MILF should make a lasting contribution to the task of building peace and understanding among all peoples in Mindanao.

Despite the gravity and difficulty of the issues, there was progress in the discussions. The Parties remain committed to find creative solutions to finish the remaining annexes and resolve to forge a comprehensive peace pact that will be inclusive of the interests and welfare of all Bangsamoro.

The Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) was convened by the Parties for the first time. As agreed, the ICP shall commence its work by mid-October. The Parties also welcomed the new member of the International Contact Group, the Community of Sant’Egidio and the attendance of representatives from two Mindanao civil society organizations as observers to the meeting.

The Parties thanked the new UK Ambassador-designate to the Philippines, His Excellency Asif Ahmad, for his presence and inspirational message on the second day of the talks.

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 unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.

The Parties also extend their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and Community of Sant’Egidio.
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