The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to launch a security and defense dialogue aimed at addressing emerging challenges such as cyber threats and foreign interference, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo announced on Monday.
The statement was made during the visit of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to Manila, where she met with Manalo and paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Manalo said the planned dialogue would help both parties stay proactive and unified in confronting cross-border threats, particularly in cyberspace and the spread of disinformation.
Kallas described the initiative as a "dedicated platform" for enhancing defense collaboration, exchanging security expertise, and exploring joint projects. The dialogue will form part of the broader Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between the Philippines and the EU, which began in 2012 and came into force in 2018.
Kallas reaffirmed the EU's support for a rules-based international order, peaceful conflict resolution, and joint efforts to address tensions in the South China Sea and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
"We oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through coercion", she said, when asked about the EU’s stance on China’s activities in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China asserts broad territorial claims in the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
China has cautioned Manila, the capital of the Philippines, against relying on foreign support in the South China Sea dispute, following critical remarks from the EU.
The Philippines has inked a $700 million agreement with South Korea's KAI to acquire 12 advanced FA-50 fighter jets by 2030, enhancing its military capabilities amid regional tensions.
China has rejected accusations made by the defense chiefs of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, who last week raised concerns over Beijing’s actions in the East and South China Seas.
Voting was underway in the Philippines on Monday for a midterm election marked by a fierce and emotional rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed Tuesday to enhance economic and defense cooperation, affirming their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas through force or coercion.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening national sovereignty in the country’s space sector.
An historic mission began early on Wednesday (25 June) as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for their countries’ first-ever visit. They were joined by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening national sovereignty in the country’s space sector.
An historic mission began early on Wednesday (25 June) as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for their countries’ first-ever visit. They were joined by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
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