THE Philippines and Germany are committed to signing an agreement to broaden defense cooperation.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius held a meeting to thresh out the agreement during the latter’s visit to Manila.
The meeting coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Germany.
“We agreed to enhance further cooperation initiatives entered into various fields and perhaps conclude as soon as possible the defense cooperation agreement with Germany,” Teodoro said.
Germany is one of the Philippines’ oldest security partners, having signed in 1974 an agreement for the training of Philippine troops in Germany.
Teodoro and Pistorious said the Agreement on Defense Cooperation will expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperations between the Philippines and Germany into new areas.
“This year, we are resuming relations with our ministers. We want to build long-lasting relations between our armed forces and we want to learn from each other,” Pistorius said.
He said Germany wants the pact to include cooperation in air and coastal defense.
Teodoro seeks to acquire sophisticated weaponry for Germany to reinforce the country’s deterrence shield.
Teodoro and Pistorius held the marathon conference against the backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea.
He invited Germany to have its navy join joint exercises in the West Philippine Sea.
At least two German vessels are due to arrive in Manila in September.
Pistorius is the first German defense minister to visit the Philippines.
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