PH, Malaysia seek stronger defense, trade ties

The Philippines and Malaysia, through their respective foreign affairs ministers, discussed potential defense and investment collaborations during a Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Tuesday.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Theresa Lazaro and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan met to review bilateral ties between the two countries.

During the JCM, the DFA said the two ministers “discussed concrete opportunities to advance collaboration across key areas, including sustained high-level exchanges, growing defense ties, and expanding trade and investment opportunities.”

“They also discussed initiatives to foster closer people-to-people relations by strengthening cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and connectivity, as well as opportunities to enhance legal cooperation and exchanges on labor migration,” the DFA added.

The DFA said the two ministers also exchanged views on territorial and maritime issues and expressed their commitment to supporting solutions to challenges involving food security and energy resilience.

“The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the conflict in the Middle East, the situation in Myanmar, and developments in the South China Sea. They underscored the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” the DFA said.

Prior to the meeting between Lazaro and Hasan, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim and Malaysian Deputy Secretary General for Bilateral Affairs Dato’ Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin held a senior officials’ meeting.

They reviewed the status of ongoing agreements and proposed cooperative initiatives.— MCG, GMA News