Philippines, Poland sign pact on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases

The Philippines and Poland on Tuesday signed an agreement strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters during Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s first state visit to the country.

At Malacañang Palace, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Nawrocki witnessed the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

“I am also pleased with the progress in legal cooperation between our two countries, marked by the signing of the Agreement on a Transfer of Sentenced Persons earlier this year, and today, as we have just witnessed, the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the agreement would affirm the Philippines and Poland’s readiness to negotiate an extradition agreement and help facilitate greater people-to-people exchanges, including in tourism and cultural appreciation.

The President also announced the acquisition of helicopters from Poland as part of the Philippines’ continuing defense cooperation with the European country, which has been an observer in the Balikatan Exercises since 2025.

“We welcomed in particular the steady progress in Philippines-Poland defense cooperation, which includes our acquisition of S-70 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Marcos said.

“We look forward to building on the outcomes of the inaugural Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee, including through joint training and educational opportunities,” he added.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in trade, industry, agriculture, science and technology, information and communications technology, legal matters, and people-to-people exchanges, according to Marcos.

Cybersecurity, digital cooperation

Marcos said the Philippines and Poland are also finalizing an agreement aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and digital cooperation.

“On digital infrastructure, we welcome the strong interest of both sides in finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding on ICT cooperation, which would serve as a framework for cooperation in cybersecurity, e-governance, and digital connectivity,” Marcos said.

He added that space technology is another promising area of cooperation, noting ongoing engagements between the Philippines and Poland’s respective space agencies.

Agriculture, food security

With food security remaining a priority of his administration, Marcos said the Philippines would continue strengthening agricultural cooperation with Poland, particularly in trade, market access, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technology, and agricultural research and education.

“As food security remains a priority of this administration, we agreed to continue strengthening agricultural cooperation with Poland, particularly in trade, market access, sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, technologies, and agricultural research and education,” Marcos said.

Nawrocki’s first state visit to the Philippines runs from October 5 to 8.

The Philippines and Poland established formal diplomatic relations on September 22, 1973.

Poland formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), together with Lithuania, Romania, and Sweden, during the treaty’s 50th anniversary celebration hosted by the Philippines as part of its 2026 ASEAN Chairsmanship. — VBL, GMA News