27 March 2014 UK Foreign Secretary congratulates parties on the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for the Bangsamoro

(CAB)

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague sent a message of congratulations to the Philippines today: I wish to express my warm congratulations to the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the formal signing on 27 March of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for the Bangsamoro. The UK wholeheartedly supports the agreement. Its full implementation will bring great benefits for Mindanao and the Philippines. It will also be an inspiring example of how political leadership and democracy can rise above violence and division to provide the security and prosperity that all people want and deserve. While many challenges lie ahead, I celebrate this important milestone along with friends of the Philippines around the world.

Notes for Editors The UK has shared conflict resolution expertise and attended peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) supporting the talks. Other ICG members include Japan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as four international NGOs. Mindanao in the southern Philippines (and in particular Western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago that extends out towards Borneo), is the heartland of the Philippines five million Muslims, also known as Moros or Bangsamoros. Separatist rebels have been engaged in armed conflict with the Philippine state since the late 1960s.