Philippines, Germany conclude defense cooperation pact

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Germany agreed yesterday to conclude, as soon as possible, a broader Arrangement on Defense Cooperation, recognizing the wide array of opportunities for enhancing bilateral defense relations amid security challenges that both countries face.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro  and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met in Makati, marking the first ever visit to the Philippines by a German federal defense minister.

“The Ministers committed to conclude a broader Arrangement on Defense Cooperation, which will expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Philippines and Germany into new areas,” the joint press statement for the bilateral meeting between Teodoro and Pistorius read.

“Against the background of concerted efforts to deepen bilateral relations in a comprehensive manner, the Ministers expressed their unwavering commitment to the revitalization of Philippines-Germany defense relations, recalling that Germany is one of the Philippines’ oldest formal defense partners through the 1974 Administrative Agreement concerning Training of Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel in Germany,” it continued.

The ministers are committed to establish long-term relations between the armed forces and specifically to expand training cooperation and bilateral exchanges.

They intend to explore opportunities to further expand the bilateral armaments cooperation and to engage in joint projects.

“We agreed to exchange further cooperation, enter into various fields and perhaps conclude as soon as possible a defense cooperation agreement with Germany. We feel that there are synergies in technology, in defense industry, in capabilities, in a mutual exchange of training and education and a host of areas particularly in the technological and cyber sphere,” Teodoro said in a joint press conference with Pistorius.

The Philippines, according to Teodoro, will be posting its first defense attaché to Germany.

Pistorius said Germany wants to build long lasting relations between the armed forces of the two countries and cooperate more closely in the field of defense and possible procurement.

“We have made good progress in our talks,” he said. “We want to further expand our training cooperation and bilateral activities. This includes talks on expert level to boost our relations in this training area and we plan to sign a bilateral arrangement shortly.”

Pistorius stated that the bilateral cooperation is crucial for both the Philippines and Germany as it also sends a clear message to their partners and the countries advocating the rules based international order, and their stand is clear that all countries must enjoy freedom of navigation regardless of economic strength or geographic size.

“This is what we stand up for together  with our partners, and this is how we can guarantee stability and security,” he said.

With the new comprehensive archipelagic defense concept changing principally the areas where the defense establishment will operate, Teodoro said they have come out with a new capability acquisition list that will be looking at engaging with Germany as a possible supplier of these capabilities.