Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo met Monday with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, for a high-level dialogue reaffirming the strong and growing partnership between the Philippines and the European Union.

The visit marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the EU, rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, anchored in the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Recognizing the growing complexity of security threats, both sides agree to enhance their cooperation and announce the establishment of a Security and Defense Dialogue.

“The dialogue addresses the current geopolitical challenges and will foster exchanges and cooperation in security and defense areas, including maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI),” said Kallas.

Manalo underscored that the strengthening of Philippines-EU security cooperation is a step in the right direction. Through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation, the Philippines seeks to promote a resilient, rules-based international order that upholds peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.”

The inaugural meeting of a dialogue is tentatively set to take place in the last quarter of 2025.

In the field of maritime security and regional stability, both sides recognize the benefit of continued cooperation under initiatives such as Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific, Copernicus, and Enhancing security cooperation in and with Asia, and express their willingness to further explore joint activities and new opportunities for cooperation in line with shared strategic interests, including opportunities on connectivity and environmental monitoring, such as exchange of knowledge and best practices on submarine cables and uncrewed vessels.

They also reaffirm their commitment to respect freedom of navigation and overflight as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They express their concerns about China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive measures against Philippine vessels and aircraft conducting lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. They reiterate their commitment to upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, which is final and binding.

Manalo and Kallas also highlight the importance of deepening of trade and investment ties, and welcome the ongoing negotiations for a Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement, expressing hope for its early conclusion.

Both sides reiterate that human rights, the rule of law, and good governance are pillars to the partnership. They discussed the EU Election Observation Mission during the recent mid-term elections, its preliminary statement and await its final report. Department of Foreign Affairs