PH, Germany eye defense deal

The Philippines and Germany are eyeing to have a defense deal to strengthen ties between the two countries, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday. 

Pistorius paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. this morning wherein he thanked the Philippine leader for his warm welcome.

''We decided, both of us that we would like to have security agreement, defense agreement with you between two countries and we will try to decide until the end of the year,'' Pistorius said during the courtesy call. 

Pistorius said the two countries support rules-based international order as maintaining security would mean stability in the region. 

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Pistorius on Sunday to discuss regional security issues, as well as ways to enhance cooperation between the Philippines and Germany.

The bilateral meeting between the two defense officials in Makati City marked Pistorius' first official visit to the country. 

The meeting also coincided with the 70th year since the Philippines and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1954.—AOL, GMA Integrated News