Philippines and Lithuania Sign Security Alliance Agreement

The defense ministers of the Philippines and Lithuania have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a security alliance.

According to the Associated Press, the agreement will strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations, with a focus on cybersecurity, defense industry collaboration, ammunition production, countering security threats, and maritime security.

At a press conference, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė voiced concern over the rise of an “authoritarian axis” – including Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. She underscored the importance of a united response from democratic nations, stressing that the newly formed alliance reflects a shared commitment to global security and democratic values.

“What we see now is that authoritarian states are really cooperating very efficiently,” Šakalienė said at a joint press conference with Teodoro. “One of the worst results is the cooperation on Ukraine. Their joint actions are threatening the free world, are threatening the democracy in this world … and we do not have a luxury to allow this to be annihilated.”

She also cited examples of China’s actions toward Taiwan and against Filipino fishermen in the disputed South China Sea. In recent years, confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the area have significantly escalated.

China has used water cannons and rammed vessels belonging to the Philippine government and Filipino fishing boats, accusing them of intruding into territory that Beijing claims as its own since ancient times. China has rejected and continues to ignore a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its territorial claims.

In response, the Philippines has adopted a strategy of “shaming” China – documenting and publicizing Beijing’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters, which are a vital global trade route, in an effort to rally international support.

“We see these horrifying materials, videos of how they are threatening Filipino fishermen, how they are treating people who are simply making their living in their own waters, in their own territory,” Šakalienė said. “If they work together to threaten us, then we must work together to defend ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the need to “resist any unilateral attempts to redefine or reshape maritime law and the international order to serve the interests of emerging powers seeking global dominance at the expense of smaller nations.”

The agreement with Lithuania is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader strategy to build a network of security alliances across Asia and with Western partners – complementing the country’s existing defense treaty with the United States.

Recently, the Philippines also signed a defense pact with New Zealand. The agreement establishes a legal framework for joint military activities, including training on each other’s territory and other forms of cooperation.