Defense Minister Pål Jonson visited Manila on June 6 for bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Jonson also met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Chief of the Presidential Office Lucas Bersamin, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and discussed security policy with a group of independent experts. Furthermore, Jonson gave a keynote speech at the Embassy's National Day reception in front of 450 guests including leading representatives of government, congress, and industry as well as around 30 journalists. The Embassy also held a special press briefing, and efforts resulted in extensive media coverage.
The Defence Minister's visit to Manila was the last stop in a trip that included Singapore and Australia. In Singapore, the Minister had participated in the Shangri-la dialogue, which is one of the most important defense and security policy fora with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. At the conference, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had been the keynote speaker.
In his keynote address at the National Day reception, Jonson said security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions was more interconnected than ever before. Now that Sweden has increased its involvement in the latter region as well, a strong partnership with the Philippines was significant. Peace and security are prioritized in this relationship, as was the importance of defending the UN Charter, the rules-based international order and respect for the principles of international law, including the law of the sea.
Teodoro delivered a message from the Philippine President, highlighting the broad cooperation between Sweden and the Philippines in trade and investment including maritime, energy, smart and green solutions, science, technology, and defense. The fact that Jonson now visited the Philippines was proof that the relationship was also deepening in defense and security.
Photos:
(1) Discussions with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
(2) Meeting with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo
(3) Meeting with EXECUTIVE SECRETARY LUCAS P. BERSAMIN, SECRETARY GILBERTO TEODORO, JR. - Department of National Defense, AMB. MARCIANO A. PAYNOR, JR. - Office of the Executive Secretary, BGEN ULYSSES S MARQUEZ PAF - Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (AJ1), Armed Forces of the Philippines, ASEC. JEFFREY G. GALLARDO - Office of the Executive Secretary, DIRECTOR DUSTIN C. GARVIDA - Office of the Executive Secretary
