The Department of National Defense (DND) announced that negotiations between the Philippines and Canada for the proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) have been successfully completed.
In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, it was noted that the two countries are prepared to sign a military agreement after holding a series of virtual meetings and consultations on the matter.
Leading the delegations from both nations were DND Undersecretary Angelito De Leon and Canadian Defense Assistant Deputy Minister Scott Millar.
The DND anticipates that the new Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with an allied nation will be instrumental in fostering peace and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, both nations permit their soldiers to engage in training exercises within each other's territories.
Aside from Canada, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already have existing military deals with the United States and Australia.
Moreover, negotiations for a similar VFA with New Zealand have also been completed, while the Senate has ratified a similar Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan.
While the agreement with New Zealand is likely to be signed in the second quarter of the year, the DND has yet to announce a timeline for the signing of the Visiting Forces Agreement with Canada.
