Philippine Government, New People’s Army agree to restart peace talks
The Philippine government and the New People’s Army (NPA) on November 28 announced that they have agreed to restart peace negotiations after a six-year hiatus with the aim of ending decades of armed strife.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently issued an order granting amnesty to several insurgent groups, including former members of the NPA. (Photo: Reuters)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine government and the New People’s Army(NPA) on November 28 announced that they have agreed to restart peacenegotiations after a six-year hiatus with the aim of ending decades of armedstrife.
The latest move is the result of the informaldiscussions between the two sides in the Netherlands and Norway since 2022.
The two sides agreed to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armedconflict, they said in their joint statement signed in Oslo on November 23,adding the peace talks will address deep-rooted socio-economic and politicalgrievances.
Announcement on their negotiations came less than a weekafter Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued an order granting amnesty toseveral insurgent groups, including former members of the NPA.
The conflict between authorities and the NPA has raged for over 50 years and killed more than 40,000people.
Norway has facilitated the Southeast Asian country’s peaceprocess for around 20 years./.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on October 5 that it has approved a 300 million USD policy-based loan to support the Philippine government in creating a stronger institutional and policy environment to help expand Filipinos’ access to financial services.
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Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 22 for Philippine Undersecretary of National Defence Irineo Cruz Espino, who is in Vietnam for the fifth Vietnam-Philippine defence policy dialogue.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
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Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
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Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently issued an order granting amnesty to several insurgent groups, including former members of the NPA. (Photo: Reuters) 
