Philippines and Germany Advance Toward Comprehensive Defense Cooperation Agreement

MANILA — In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations, the Philippines and Germany have expressed their intention to finalize a broader defense cooperation agreement, as announced during a meeting between top defense officials in Manila.

According to Philippines News Agency, a joint statement issued following discussions between Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, both nations are poised to enhance their defense partnership, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The planned Arrangement on Defense Cooperation aims to extend existing collaborations into new areas, including expanded training and bilateral exchanges.

The discussions also covered strategic security trends and regional issues in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe, with both officials emphasizing the need for a peace that adheres to international law. They expressed a unified stance against any forceful advancements of territorial claims. The dialogue underscored the continued relevance of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which both nations regard as final and legally binding, despite China’s refusal to recognize the ruling.

Furthering their defense dialogue, the officials explored the possibility of increasing bilateral armaments cooperation and initiating joint defense projects. They also discussed the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in regional security, noting Germany’s interest in joining as an observer in the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working Groups.

The meeting reinforced the commitment of both nations to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Additionally, they touched upon the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, advocating for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.

The recent discussions build upon the momentum from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Germany in March, where he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to broaden defense cooperation, particularly in the cyber and maritime domains, affirming a mutual commitment to global and regional security frameworks.