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Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
June 3, 2025 | 12:00am
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission, joins Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo after a joint press conference in Taguig yesterday.
AFP
MANILA, Philippines — A security and defense dialogue will be initiated by the Philippines and the European Union.
At yesterday’s press briefing, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas declared their commitment to the initiative.
“As like-minded partners committed to a rules-based international order, we hope that through the security and defense dialogue, we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats and challenges that transcend borders, cyberattacks and manipulation of information,” Manalo said.
Kallas, vice president of the European Commission, has declared that the EU’s relationship with the Philippines is on a positive trajectory.
“We share a commitment to upholding the rules-based international order to promoting peace and stability and addressing common challenges together. These include the developments in the South China Sea and Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine,” she said.
Manalo and Kallas reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter, as well as support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The security and defense dialogue will provide “a dedicated platform through which we can deepen our cooperation, exchange expertise on security and defense and explore joint initiatives that contribute to the regional as well as global security,” Kallas said.
“Our work will be comprehensive and will include maritime security, cybersecurity, foreign information manipulation and interference, counterterrorism, crisis response and more,” she noted.
The Philippines and the EU are moving forward with the next rounds of negotiations for a free trade agreement, Kallas said.
President Marcos met with Kallas on yesterday, wherein he conveyed his sincere appreciation for the EU’s continued and steadfast support for the Philippines.
During a courtesy call at Malacañang, the President welcomed the establishment of the Philippines-EU Security and Defense Dialogue, underscoring the importance of addressing geopolitical challenges with those who share similar values and adherence to the rules-based international order, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.
Kallas was in Manila from June 1 to 2, her first visit to the country since her appointment last December, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Stronger defense ties
Meanwhile, the Philippines is pushing for deeper defense relations with Japan, Ukraine and the Netherlands through more joint activities and mutually beneficial learning experiences, according to the Department of National Defense.
On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. held bilateral meetings with Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kozenko and Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans. — Helen Flores
