THE fourth round of peace talks between the government and the communists will push through on the first week of April in an attempt to restart the stalled negotiations, an official said Tuesday.
Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner said the talks will be held at the seaside town of Noordwijk in The Netherlands on April 2 to 6.
“I am pleased that representatives of the Philippine Government and the NDFP will meet for a new round of talks,” Førner said in a statement sent to Manila Standard.
“Despite challenges along the way, the parties continue to show their commitment to peace.”
The fourth round of talks will focus on issues such as social and economic reforms and the crafting of a bilateral ceasefire agreement, the Norwegian Embassy said.
The government and the NDF negotiators recently signed a joint agreement to revive the stalled peace talks following President Rodrigo Duterte’s three “requests” before any negotiation could proceed: A genuine ceasefire done in sincerity, the release of all soldiers and civilians being held captive by the NPA, and a stop to the NPA’s extortion activities.
The continuation of the drafting of three substantial agenda”•social and economic reforms, constitutional and political reforms and an end to hostilities”•were among the issues left hanging after Duterte decided to terminate the peace talks amid the breakdown of their respective unilateral ceasefires in early February.
The Philippines and the communists initially agreed in Rome in January to resume the negotiations in Oslo in April.
“This will be the fourth round of talks since formal negotiations were resumed summer 2016. This round will focus on issues such as social and economic reforms and a bilateral ceasefire agreement,” Førner said.
The talks will once again be led by the Norwegian Special Envoy to the Philippine peace process, Ambasador Elisabeth Slåttum.