Binay to explain new accord with MILF in Europe meet

Vice President Jejomar Binay. FILE PHOTO

Vice President Jejomar Binay is expected to discuss with top European officials the new agreement between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when he visits Brussels next week, his office said Thursday.

Binay is set to fly to Belgium to take part in the European Development Days (EDD), “the premier European forum on international affairs and development cooperation” that gathers world leaders annually. The global meeting is scheduled on Oct. 16 and 17.

PH-Europe talks

On the sidelines of the EDD, Binay will meet with top officials of the European Union, including European Commission (EC) president Jose Barroso, for talks on Philippines-Europe relations. The EC is the EU’s executive body that handles the bloc’s legislation and policy.

“Among the key points that Binay is expected to discuss with Barroso is the recently signed framework agreement between the government and the MILF, and the creation of the Bangsamoro entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” said the Office of the Vice President in a statement.

The EU was part of the International Monitoring Team that observed peace negotiations between the Philippines and the MILF in Kuala Lumpur. The bloc recently welcomed the framework agreement, calling it “a major step towards long-lasting peace in Mindanao.”

The EU also gave the Philippines a P460-million grant to support the Mindanao peace process through confidence-building measures and operations to secure conflict areas, including the clearing of undetonated ordnances, its delegation in Manila said.

Plans to move forward

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux said the meeting will be a chance for the EU to learn about the Philippines’ plans to move the agreement forward.

“The EU and a number of its member states have congratulated the Philippine government on Monday for the successful conclusion of the negotiation on the Framework Peace Agreement with the MILF. The visit of Vice President Binay provides an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to explain the road ahead regarding the Mindanao peace process,” Ledoux told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday.

He said Binay is also set to meet with four EC commissioners to discuss development cooperation, aviation security and seafarers’ training standards in Europe, with the region a major employment area for Filipino sailors.

Binay’s Brussels trip comes ahead of his visit to the Vatican City, where he will head the Philippine delegation that will witness the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21.