Teodoro holds bilateral talks with Japan, Ukraine, Netherlands

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held separate bilateral meetings with defense officials of Japan, Ukraine, and The Netherlands on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue over the weekend, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday.

Teodoro Jr. attended the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 30 to June 1 to tackle security issues and defense ties with other nations.

Japan

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Tokyo wants deeper involvement in joint drills with Manila like Balikatan and Kamandag upon the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement.

The two countries agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation in defense equipment production.

To deter actions that undermine regional peace, Teodoro stressed the need for sustained bilateral and multilateral dialogues as he called for stronger alliances based on shared principles.

Ukraine

Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Kozenko thanked the Philippines for its support to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

A Ukrainian defense attaché will be assigned to Manila to develop bilateral defense ties, according to Kozenko.

Teodoro said the Philippines wants to learn technological development from Ukraine, while Kozenko said Ukraine is also keen on learning maritime disaster response and post-trauma recovery from the Philippines.

Both countries remain committed to international law. Ukraine vowed its adherence and strict compliance with the Geneva Conventions and openness to defense cooperation with the Philippines.

The Netherlands 

Meanwhile, Teodoro expressed interest in learning from the Netherlands' best practices in defense governance.

Dutch Minister of Defencs Ruben Brekelmans supported rules-based international order and expressed interest in exploring joint military activities with the Philippines. 

Teodoro and Brekelmans extended invitations for future visits, maintaining their intent to expand defense engagement and cooperation, according to the DND. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News