EU hails deal on interim ceasefire

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The European Union lauded the interim joint ceasefire agreement forged by the peace panels of the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front in The Netherlands.

“This interim agreement demonstrates the power of political processes to resolve conflict. It is an encouraging step towards generating goodwill and trust in the peace negotiations, to encourage the forging of a more stable and comprehensive joint ceasefire agreement and to provide an enabling environment for an early signing of a comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms,” the EU said in statement on Thursday.

The government and communist rebel negotiators signed the agreement on Wednesday.

The ceasefire will take effect as soon as the guidelines and ground rules are approved.

The two sides agreed “to forge a joint interim ceasefire agreement,” a joint statement said, adding that this will be “more stable” than the separate unilateral ceasefire declarations issued by the rebels and the government.

“The interim joint ceasefire will be signed simultaneous to or immediately after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Social and Economic Reforms (Caser) expected to be finished within the year,” the statement said.