Philippines, Germany sign defense cooperation pact

On Wednesday, May 14, the Philippines and Germany signed a defense cooperation arrangement in Berlin on the sidelines of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting.

The new agreement aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, defense armaments, logistics, and UN peacekeeping, building upon their longstanding 1974 Administrative Agreement.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will hold talks to outline joint activities planned for next year during the 6th Philippines-Germany Security and Defense Staff Talks.

This agreement is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s strategy to strengthen international defense ties, with recent partnerships including agreements with Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Japan.

The Philippines also signed a defense deal with Canada last month and is set to negotiate with France for a visiting forces agreement (VFA).

These expanding alliances reflect the country's growing network of strategic partners beyond its traditional alliance with the United States.