Teodoro to tackle regional, int'l security issues with counterparts

SINGAPORE - Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will meet with his counterparts at the sidelines of the 2024 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue to tackle defense issues in the global and international realm. 

Teodoro is scheduled to meet Laurynas Kasciunas, Minister of National Defense of Lithuania on Saturday, June 1, as a follow-up to the visit to the Philippines of Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis last April 25.

The Defense chief will also meet with Bill Blair, Minister of Defense of Canada, for a briefing on the recently-released Canadian Defense Policy Update. They will also explore more opportunities for bilateral and/or multilateral collaboration.

Teodoro will also discuss regional security challenges and cooperation in the United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea with Shin Won-Sik, Minister of National Defense of South Korea.

A meeting with Judith Anne Collins, Minister of Defense of New Zealand has also been scheduled. 

Further, Teodoro will meet with Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission for a Stronger Europe in the World to discuss regional security matters, including the West Philippine Sea issue.

Teodoro will also have a courtesy call on Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defense of Singapore.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is the first Filipino head of state who will deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La defense forum. 

The summit is considered as one of Asia's most significant gatherings of senior officials from the security, defense, geopolitics, and diplomatic sectors.—AOL, GMA Integrated News