Joint Statement - 5th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks (February 20 2004)

• Country/entity

  Philippines
  Mindanao
  
• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  
• Agreement name

  Joint Statement - 5th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks (February 20 2004)
• Date

  20 Feb 2004
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Philippine Insurgencies (1968 - ) )
• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Philippines - Mindanao process
• Parties

  Silvester C. Afable, Jr., GRP Panel Chair;
  Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Panel Chair
• Third parties

  -
• Description

  Agreement informing on the 5th Round of GRP-MILF Exploraty Talks, in which it was decided to resume formal peace talks in April, 2004, with the facilitation of the Malaysian Government. It was also agreed upon that the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the International Monitoring Team (IMT) would be finalized by the Malaysian Government, and that both Parties would further the rehabilitation and development efforts of the conflict-affected areas.

• Agreement document

  PH_040220_Joint Statement.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

JOINT STATEMENT

The 2-day Round of GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks ended in Kuala Lumpur today with both sides agreeing to resume formal peace talks towards the end of April 2004, as facilitated by the Malaysian Government.

The GRP and MILF panels resolved all outstanding issues standing in the way of the formal talks and expressed confidence that the prospects for lasting peace were firm.

They commended the work of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of both Parties in stabilizing the situation on the ground and nurturing the climate for peace.

The Panels agreed to consolidate their respective proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the International Monitoring Team (IMT), and requested the Malaysian Government to send the advance survey team in Southern Philippines soonest possible.

An itinerary for the team was adopted.

Both Panels agreed for the Malaysian Government to finalize the TOR in consultation with the Panels and undertake the task of setting up the IMT in Southern Philippines.

Both Panels agreed to the mechanism to extend capacity-building programs for the people in unset-affected areas through the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the development Arm of the MILF.

To assist in the rehabilitation and development of conflict-affected areas, the Malaysian Government has committed a similar program for the BDA under its Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP).

Likewise, the Panels will work closely with the World Bank and the multi-donor community in implementing the joint needs assessment phase of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund intended for the rehabilitation and development of the conflict-affected areas.

In this regard, the BDA shall represent the MILF.

A similar request will be made to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

The Panels expressed their gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi and to President Glorin Macapagal-Arroyo, for their unstinting support to the Mindanao pence process, which largely contributed to this breakthrough.

The GRP delegation was composed of Panel Chair Sec Silvestre C. Afable, Jr., L.t.

General Rondolfo Garcia, Ms. Diositin T. Andot and Mr. Ryan Mark B. Sullivan and the MILF delegation was composed of Mr. Mohagher Iqbal, Attorney Lana ng S. Ali, Attorney Michael O. Mastura, Mesir.

Robert Maulana M. Alano, Mr. Mike Pasigan and Mohajirin T. Ali.

Done on 20 February 2004 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FORTHF GRP:

SILVESTER C. AFABLE.

JR. (

GRP Panel Chair)

FOR THE MILF:

MOHAGHER IQBAL (MILF Panel Chair)