The Philippines and Germany have committed to signing a defense cooperation agreement in 2024.

This was reported by the Reuters news agency.

The German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, have pledged to establish long-term relations between their armed forces.

The relationship will be established with the aim of expanding training and bilateral exchanges, exploring opportunities for expanding bilateral arms cooperation, and participating in joint projects.

The meeting in Manila was reportedly the first such visit by a German defense minister.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia as exclusive economic zones.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague stated that Beijing’s claims had no legal basis, and China rejected the decision.

“This decision remains in force without any exceptions. Strengthening the maritime border is our commitment and we are fulfilling it,” Pistorius said.

Teodoro said that the Philippines, which is seeking to modernize its armed forces to strengthen its defense, will look to Germany as a possible provider of these capabilities.

“This includes command and control, air defense, naval and air forces, as well as high-tech equipment,” Teodoro said.

China has expressed concern over the growing ties between NATO members and Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

Militarny recently reported that the Philippines and Vietnam will hold joint naval exercises to practice countering China.