Germany, Philippines agree to broaden defence cooperation deal

Teodoro said the agreement would focus on “mutual understanding regarding capabilities, training [and] exchange of information”.

There have been escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

They vowed to build “long-lasting relations” between their armed forces and flagged the possibility of Germany supplying military equipment to the Philippines.

Pistorius is the first German defence minister to visit the Philippines.

Germany is one of the Philippines’ oldest formal defence partners through a 1974 administrative agreement that includes the training of Filipino troops in Germany.

Pistorius said security and stability between their respective regions were interconnected and hoped the agreement would be signed “before the end of the year, maybe already in October”.

“The ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to advance expansive claims, especially through force or coercion,” Pistorius and Teodoro said in a joint statement.

Pistorius told reporters that Germany’s engagements in the region “are not directed against anybody”.

He is expected to meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday, the last day of his three-day visit.