SORTU wishes to send their most sincere congratulations to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government as well as the facilitating countries (among them Malaysia, Norway and the USA) for the historic agreement reached in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, to put an end to the long armed conflict which the MILF, the Bangsamoro people and the Philippine government confronted.

The conversations about the peace agreement that took place in Malaysia, ended in a satisfactory manner this past Saturday. The agreement reached now complements others reached in past years.

Through these agreements they establish the bases for a just and lasting peace in the region. The MILF satisfied their claim of self-government for their people with the constitution of the Bangasmoro, and they also established the bases for a process of DDR, which includes putting their armament out of use, monitored by an international group of verification, and their reintegration in the force that will take charge of the security in their territory.

The agreement reached signifies a great step on the path in the dialogue and negotiation process begun more than thirteen years ago now. In the coming months, in the capital of the Philippines, the definitive peace agreement will be signed by both sides.

The Moro people have taken a great step in their long path to reach a just and lasting peace. We are convinced that this agreement will serve as a stimulus so that, in the same way, other dialogue and negotiation processes can advance in the region of the Philippines, such as that which is developing between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front.

From the Basque Country we celebrate with the Moro people their advance towards peace. The agreement achieved again demonstrates that talk and dialogue are the ways that really serve to advance in obtaining scenarios of peace and justice. The tenacity of the actors involved and the international support to the processes can defeat those opposing forces who seek to maintain situations of oppression and violence.

From SORTU we wish to encourage the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government to take to their end the implementation of the agreements reached.