(Palace photo)
Nagkasundo sina Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida na bumalangkas ng framework para sa visiting forces o panukalang Reciprocal Access Agreement sa pagitan ng Japan at Pilipinas.
Ginawa ni Pangulong Marcos ang pahayag nang magkaroo ng bilateral meeting kay Kishida kahapon sa Malakanyang.
“I also would like to recall our commitment to work on a framework for our status of visiting forces or the proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement, RAA, with Japan. We are cognizant of the benefits of having this arrangement, both to our defense and military personnel and to maintaining peace and stability in our region,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.
Sinabi naman ni Kishida na paiigtingin pa ng Japan ang kooperasyon sa Pilipinas para sa free at open international order na nakabase sa rule of law sa gitna na rin ng complex crises na hinaharap sa international community.
“Japan and the Philippines are both maritime nations and strategic partners sharing a fundamental principles and values,” pahayag ni Kishid.
“And as the international community faces complex crises, we would like to strengthen our cooperation with the Philippines to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law to ensure a world where human dignity is protected. I very much look forward to discussing issues with you in depth today,” sabi ni Kishida.
Sa naturang bilateral meeting, naselyuhan din ng dalawang bansa ang Official Security Assistance grant aid na nagkakahalaga ng 600 million yen o halos P235.5 milyon.
Gagamitin ang pondo para sa coastal radar system sa pagpapalakas sa defense awareness capability ng Philippine Navy.