Philippines, Japan sign ‘key agreements’ in defense, maritime cooperation

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The Philippines and Japan have signed “key agreements” in several areas, prominently in defense and maritime cooperation, as Japan’s premier is paying a two-day visit to Manila.

“Key agreements have been signed that will propel the momentum of our bilateral relations in the next coming years,” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement issued late Friday from the Malacanang Palace.

The announcement came after Marcos Jr. met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who arrived in the Philippines on Friday on an official trip.

The Philippine leader said the military capacities of both countries will further enhance under the Official Security Assistance (OSA), and Japan will also contribute $6 million to mitigating the impact of flooding aggravated by climate change in the Bangsamoro region.

“As leaders of like-minded states, we affirm our commitment to peaceful negotiations to resolve maritime conflicts, and the need for a stable and secure environment, for mutually inclusive growth and development for our people,” Marcos Jr. said.

The Philippines has a long-running dispute with China over the mineral-rich South China Sea, while Japan and China have been asserting territorial claims in the East China Sea, which has long been a point of tension between these countries.

On his part, Kishida assured that the Japanese government will continue to support the Philippine’s public-private infrastructure developments projects and smart agriculture and renewable energy adoption.

“In the area of economy, I mentioned we will continue with the public-private support for infrastructure development such as the Dalton Pass and the Manila Metro (Subway Project) in line with President Marcos’ Build Better More policy,” the Japanese premier said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid