Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines Gilberto C. Teodoro signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation in support o f a closer security and defence cooperation.
The document defines agreement on cooperation in such areas as maritime security, including the threat of russia’s and China’s shadow fleets and protection of both countries’ undersea infrastructure, as well as hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns targeting democratic states and societies, also, cyber security, sharing intelligence, and military cooperation, including troop training courses, exercises and expert exchange.
The MoU also covers cooperation on civil defence and crisis management aimed at building public readiness for emergencies, as well as defence industry, especially production of ammunition, ten, migration and its effects on national security. “Strengthening bilateral Lithuania-Pilipino relations in defence area is an important part of Lithuania’s security and defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Lithuania sees the Philippines as an important partner in strengthening regional stability, public resilience and defence capabilities. The signed agreement reflects our shared approach to the emerging security threats. It is more than a symbolic step, it is a Launchpad for our joint projects which can strengthen the resilience of both countries,” said Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
The bilateral ties between Lithuania and the Philippines are gaining strategic weight, especially in security and defence. Lithuania works consistently on the basis of the Strategy of Security and Defence Cooperation with the Indo-Pacific to strengthen relations with the partners in the region.
Over the course of the June 30–July 2 visit Minister D. Šakalienė wil also meet with Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo J. Cacdac, and visit the headquarters of the Philippine Navy. This is the first time a Lithuanian Defence Minister conducts a formal visit to the country.
