Europe is providing a fresh grant of nine million euros, or about P460 million, to support the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels.
Both sides are now tackling the most contentious issues, including power and wealth sharing and size of territory.
“This assistance package will enable the EU (European Union) to expand its support for the peaceful negotiation and, hopefully, implementation of an agreement over the next three years through its continuing participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT),” the EU mission in Manila said Friday.
The renewed involvement and expanded support from the EU “is another illustration of its commitment to promote conflict resolution based on democratic values and respect for human rights, justice and solidarity, economic prosperity and sustainable development,” said EU Ambassador to Manila Guy Ledoux.
The EU, one of the key players in the Mindanao peace process, had been assisting the negotiations through the IMT, a multi-national team of security and military personnel credited for significantly reducing skirmishes between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters. Its other members include Brunei, Libya, the EU, Norway, Indonesia and Malaysia, which acts as IMT head.
With the grant, the EU hoped to further strengthen its role in leading the humanitarian, rehabilitation, and development component of the IMT and increase its support to the local and international non-governmental organizations, which were providing civilian protection in conflict areas, Ledoux said.
It will also provide increased funding to the International Contact Group (ICG), a coalition of countries and foreign non-government organizations acting as an advisory body and guarantors to the peace process. Forming the ICG are the United Kingdom, Turkey, Japan, Saudi Arabia, non-state members like the Washington-based Asia Foundation, the Center for Humanitarian Dialog of Geneva, Muhammadiyah of Jakarta, and Conciliation Resources of London.
It would also support confidence-building measures, including the joint clearing of unexploded ordnances, promotion of women’s right, and various initiatives in the fields of governance and security.
“Despite all the international support drawing on valuable experience and expertise gained elsewhere, it is the duty of the parties to find for themselves with the approval of their constituents, an acceptable and durable solution to a conflict that has lasted for far too long,” Ledoux said.