Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. received Ambassador Luc Véron, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines, during the latter’s courtesy call at the Department of National Defense (DND) .
The Philippine and EU sides committed to deepening defense relations in light of recent developments in the maritime domain and the effects of climate change, DND-Public Affair Service Director Arsenio Andolong said.
Secretary Teodoro expressed appreciation for the EU’s support for the Philippines, especially as the country moves towards a period of transition and transformation. Ambassador Véron, meanwhile, lauded the Philippines’ efforts in upholding international law and the rules-based international order. Both sides underscored the threat climate change poses, especially in their respective disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts. Relative to this, Secretary Teodoro remarked that HADR must be sustainable. As the EU has been involved in supporting the Philippines’ disaster preparedness efforts, especially on early warning systems (EWS), Ambassador Véron likewise underscored the coordination is key.
Among other matters, the two officials also discussed developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Ambassador Véron reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting peace, development, and institution-building initiatives in BARMM. Secretary Teodoro welcomed the EU’s assistance and emphasized the BARMM’s adherence to the law and the national government. Both sides declared plans to visit Mindanao to support ongoing initiatives and projects.
Other matters taken up during the call include the Philippines’ defense priorities, maritime domain awareness (MDA), reconstruction in Marawi, support to former rebel surrenderees, and the Philippine Government’s amnesty program.
