The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to launch a formal dialogue on security and defence cooperation, aiming to confront emerging threats such as cyber attacks and foreign interference, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo announced on Monday.
The development was revealed during the visit of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to Manila, where she held bilateral meetings with Manalo and paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We hope that through the security and defence dialogue we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats that transcend borders — cyber attacks, foreign interference, and manipulation of information,” Manalo said at a joint press briefing with Kallas.
Kallas described the upcoming dialogue as a “dedicated platform” to deepen EU-Philippines defence cooperation, enabling both sides to share expertise, coordinate on security matters, and pursue joint initiatives.
The new dialogue will operate within the framework of the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, established in 2012 and in force since 2018. It marks a significant step in expanding the scope of EU-Philippines relations from economic and development cooperation to the realms of security and geopolitics.
Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to promoting a rules-based international order, peace, and regional stability, particularly in contested areas such as the South China Sea.
“We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including the use of coercion,” Kallas said, when asked about the EU’s position on China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, including over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. The EU has increasingly expressed concern over maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the need to uphold international law in the region.
The newly established dialogue is expected to strengthen strategic ties between the Philippines and the EU, while helping both parties enhance resilience against global and regional threats.
Melissa Enoch
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