The Philippines and the United Kingdom have signed a new Joint Framework to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, trade, maritime security, and climate resilience. The agreement was formalized in Taguig City on April 13 by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, as part of efforts to deepen the Enhanced Partnership established in 2021.
The UK is among the Philippines’ leading trade and investment partners, with total bilateral trade valued at approximately USD 3.6 billion (GBP 2.9 billion) in recent years. Under the new framework, both countries aim to build on existing initiatives and pursue new engagements to enhance regional stability and economic resilience.
Key areas of cooperation include defense and maritime security, human rights, science and technology, and financial and environmental sustainability. Sectoral dialogues are scheduled later this year to finalize agreements in fields such as information and communications technology, maritime affairs, and economic collaboration.
Secretary Manalo acknowledged the UK’s Indo-Pacific Approach, emphasizing shared commitments to a free and peaceful region. Meanwhile, Secretary Lammy underscored the importance of deepening ties between like-minded nations amid growing global volatility. A possible visiting forces agreement remains under discussion, though no formal decision has been announced.
(Source: Philippine News Agency)
