Manila, Feb. 19 -- Canada and the Philippines are in active talks on a military intelligence-sharing agreement, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said Thursday.

The proposed General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) follows the recent signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which enhances military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.

"We're in active negotiations on that now with the Department of Defense here. Again, that is indicative of how advanced the relationship is," Hartman said on the sidelines of a forum hosted by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati City.

Hartman said the GSOIA would allow a freer exchange of classified information between the two militaries.

"The ...