NORWEGIAN Foreign Minister Borge Brende said his government is open to help in facilitating peace talks between the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).
“When it comes to peace talks with different movements in the Philippines and among them is the communist movement, and we’re committed to continue as facilitator in this different processes, as long as this is the interest of the government of the Philippines.”
Oslo, Norway, has been the site of negotiations between the CPP-NPA and the GRP since 2001. Three joint statements were issued from the Norwegian capital, with the recent one in 2011.
Malacañang has said in April last year that Norway is the third-party facilitator in the formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftist rebels, which bogged down in February 2013.
“I think the presidency of Aquino is here for several years and we are looking into the opportunity to resume talks in the future, I think this is what I can say,” Borge said.
Borge added Norway’s role as facilitator was one of the topics he discussed with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.
“I understand that there is an interest for the future to find good solution to this ongoing problem,” Brende added.
Asked whether those supporting the peace talks have established a timeline for the talks on resumption, Brende said that he will announce the answer if his meeting with President Aquino in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon pushes through.
“Let me get back to you after my meeting with the President.”
The peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA has been in limbo for months. On its 45th anniversary on December 26, Thursday, the CPP declared it is giving up on the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
The communist group also called for President Aquino’s ouster, saying in a statement he is worse than former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in terms of violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.