Ambassador Kira Azucena called on Minister of Defence, Hon. Judith Collins KC, ahead of her planned visit to Manila to sign the Philippines-New Zealand Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

Negotiations for the agreement were concluded last month. The agreement aims to bolster defense and military ties between the two countries, paving the way for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories.

The agreement was one of the commitments between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as a result of the latter's visit to Manila in April 2024.

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