Manila: Envoys who have years of experience with United Nations agencies had expressed optimism on the ongoing peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Former United Nations Special Envoy Francesc Vendrell, and Ambassadors Nureldin Satti and Dr. Katia Papagiani recently met with the government and the MILF negotiating parties, as well as different sectors to share their experiences in resolving conflicts.
Vendrell is a former UN special envoy, while Satti from Sudan, was closely involved in the Somalia peace process. Papagiani, on the other hand, currently heads the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue's (HD Centre) Mediation Support Programme.
"Now, there is a good opportunity to achieve peace in Mindanao because of the commitment of the President and the government," Papagiani said during a press briefing in Manila.
On the same note, Satti said that "political will and good will are present in the administration."
Peace pact
Vendrell, on the other hand, expressed optimism as he envisions a peace pact to be forged soon by the government and the MILF.
The envoys also conveyed the need for peace agreement to resolve conflict. They stressed that although signing it is a crucial accomplishment, it is not the end of the peace process. It will take patience and continued efforts by both parties and stakeholders to establish peace and stability in the region.
The ongoing peace talks earnestly being pursued by the government with the MILF is moving towards the crafting of a peace agreement to create "genuine autonomy" to resolve the Bangsamoro problem.
Meanwhile, indicative of the growing international support for the peace process in Mindanao, a delegation of Ambassadors from the member-states of the European Union (EU) headed by His Excellency EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux visited the integrated reconstruction and development projects of the World Bank (WB) and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in the village of Liong, Datu Piang, Maguindanao recently.
Joining Ledoux were Ambassadors Stephen Lillie of the United Kingdom, Wilhem Donko of Austria, Jorge Domecq of Spain, and Deputy Ambassadors Ralph Timmerman of Germany, Hugues-Antoine Suin of France, Jori Vobis of Czech Republic and Dr. Alfonso Tagliaferri of Italy.
The delegation visited projects that included core shelters, water and sanitation, farm implements and livelihood assistance were funded by World Bank through the Mindanao Trust Fund - Reconstruction and Development Programs in cooperation with the BDA.
Beneficiaries were hundreds of individuals and families, mostly housewives, farmers and fishermen, who were affected by the resurgence of fighting between the government and MILF forces in 2008 - 2009 following the aborted signing of the government-MILF Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.
The European Union provided 5.7 million euros for the Mindanao Trust Fund through the World Bank. BDA is the arm for rehabilitation, humanitarian, development cooperation of the MILF for the ongoing government-MILF Peace Process.
