PH, Germany sign new defense pact

The Philippines and Germany have signed a new defense cooperation agreement in Berlin, expanding on a 1974 arrangement.

This new pact aims to enhance bilateral defense partnerships in areas such as cybersecurity, defense armaments, logistics, and UN peacekeeping operations.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed the agreement.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año hailed the signing as a significant milestone in strengthening the country's national defense and security posture.

Año stated that the agreement deepens the relationship between the two nations and builds on the 1974 Administrative Agreement.

He also highlighted that the pact underscores the importance of fostering defense and security partnerships with like-minded nations, especially amidst complex regional challenges like in the West Philippine Sea.