EU TO JOIN A TEAM TO MONITOR THE PHILIPPINES-MILF CEASE FIRE ACCORD

MANILA, Philippine - The European Union (EU) will become a member of an international team that has been monitoring the implementation of a ceasefire accord signed by the Philippines and a separatist group based in the southern Philippines, an envoy said.

During Europe Day's celebration late Tuesday night, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Alistair MacDonald said: "The European Union has accepted the invitation of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to participate in the [Malaysian-led] International Monitoring Team (IMT)."

• Details of EU's participation to the IMT, such as its terms of reference, will soon be agreed by participants of the peace talks, MacDonald said.
• "EU's decision to join the IMT is good news for both the Philippine government and the MILF peace panels," said Philippine foreign undersecretary Rafael Seguis, also chair of the Philippine peace panel, in response.
• In a letter to MacDonald, Seguis said both parties "now endeavour to preserve the gains of the peace talks as we transition from the current administration to the next."
• Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement from Brussels: "I see this as a very important contribution which the EU can make, together with other international partners, to help promote peace, security and prosperity in Mindanao..."

Source:Gulfnews