The Philippines and Germany have committed to a broader defense cooperation agreement, their defense ministers said.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to boost cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations, Reuters reported.
The ministers pledged to establish a long-term relationship between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges. Also explore opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of armaments and engage in joint projects.
Manila and Berlin are deepening their military ties as tensions between China and the Philippines have increased in recent months, as they trade accusations over clashes in disputed areas of the South China Sea. It also includes allegations that China deliberately terrorized Manila warships, seriously injuring a Filipino sailor.
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. However, China rejected this decision.
Teodoro and Pistorius confirmed that the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea was "final and legally binding".
On August 2, Germany joined the US-led United Nations Command in South Korea, becoming the 18th country in the group to help guard the heavily fortified border with North Korea. She pledged to defend the South in the event of war.
Pistorius said the move was proof of Berlin's strong belief that European security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The United States and its partners are expanding alliances and partnerships, including those that span the globe.
China has expressed concern about growing ties between NATO members and Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. | BGNES
