European Parliament urges and supports GRP-NDFP peace negogiations

National Democratic Front of the Philippines Information Office, Press Release, 14 January 1999

The European Parliament unanimously passed today (14 January, 1999 17:30H CET) in Strasbourg a resolution in support of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The resolution reads as follows:

The European Parliament,

A. reaffirming its resolution of 18 July 1997 on the Philippines supporting peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) within the framework of their Joint Declaration in The Hague,

B. congratulating the aforesaid parties for their success in forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, approved by the Philippine Government on 7 August 1998 and by the NDFP on 10 April 1998,

C. further congratulating the aforesaid parties for their success in forging the Joint Agreement in Support of Socioeconomic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes and the Additional Rules Implementing the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees Pertinent to the Security of Personnel and Consultations in the Furtherance of the Peace Negotiations,

D. welcoming all the expressions and acts of good intention of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and National Democratic Front of the Philippines within their respective spheres of responsibility and in accordance with international law and their common determination to implement all their bilateral agreements and accelerate the progress of the peace negotiations,

E. encouraging and supporting all the common and separate efforts of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to apply the International Bill of Rights and International Humanitarian Law and pave the way for a just and lasting peace,

1. Urges the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to realize their mutual commitment to accelerating the progress of their peace negotiations in Europe, forging the comprehensive agreements on social and economic reforms and political and constitutional reforms and achieving a just and lasting peace,

2. Continues to support all the bilateral agreements and confidence-building measures that they have reached and undertaken in order to create a favourable atmosphere for peace negotiations and to lay the ground for a just and lasting peace,

3. Recognizes and appreciates all the acts of good intention of the Parties and their common and separate efforts to adhere to and apply the principles and instruments of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,

4. Requests the Commission and Council to provide and facilitate support and assistance to the Parties in carrying out their formal peace negotiations, in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and in undertaking development, relief and rehabilitation programmes,

5. Instructs the President to forward this Resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.