Senator Migz Zubiri lauded the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, saying this is very timely and will boost the country’s defense interoperability with the friendly Asian neighbor.
Zubiri, a long-time advocate of the RAA, said the agreement is a partnership of like-minded nations that will truly bolster the country’s naval training and use of ships and equipment purchased from Japan, further strengthening the Philippines’ defense and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The agreement is a partnership of like-minded nations that will truly bolster the country’s naval training and use of ships and equipment purchased from Japan.”
“It was in 2022 when then-Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko and I first discussed the possibility of pursuing a Reciprocal Access Agreement between our countries, and I brought this idea to President Marcos early into his administration,” the veteran legislator said.
“I welcome this signing, and I am very hopeful that it will be a key partnership for achieving peace in the region.”
“So, I welcome this signing, and I am very hopeful that it will be a key partnership for achieving peace in the region,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The senator emphasized that the RAA signing would strengthen the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, which he described as an “invaluable ally” to the Philippines.
“Japan is already an invaluable ally, and their assistance has been vital to the modernization of our Coast Guard and Navy. With this RAA, we can further strengthen our capacity-building through joint military exercises,” he declared.
Zubiri has consistently pushed for the RAA during various meetings with Japanese officials, including Marcos’ visit to Japan in February 2023 and the Senate’s own parliamentary visit to Japan in April 2023, where they met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
The Prime Minister, upon the invitation of Zubiri, then came to the Philippines in November 2023 to give a historic policy speech during a joint session of the Philippine Congress. It was in this speech that he confirmed that he and Marcos were in concurrence over the need to pursue the RAA.
“Our persistence has paid off, and now we can look forward to strengthened security and defense cooperation under the RAA,” Zubiri concluded.
