Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and Japan have signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a landmark agreement that will allow the countries to deploy troops on each other’s soil.
Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko inked the deal in the presence of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at a ceremony at Malacanang Palace in Manila on July 8.
Cheloy Garafil, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, said RAA creates a framework to facilitate military cooperation, such as making the entry of foreign personnel and equipment easier for the visiting force.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru of Japan arrived in Manila for the 2nd Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2) with their Philippine counterparts. The four officials are scheduled to discuss defence and security affairs, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues. They will also hold bilateral meetings with their counterparts.
The 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting is the highest consultation mechanism between Japan and the Philippines. The first was held in Tokyo in April 2022./.
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