MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines signed an agreement with Spain on the mutual protection of classified information in the field of defense, the Department of National Defense announced on Thursday (Nov. 4).
The agreement between the Philippines’ DND and the National Intelligence Center of the Kingdom of Spain, would provide “a framework to regulate the exchange of all classified information in the course of bilateral defense cooperation,” which included defense equipment acquisitions and transfer of technology.
“It is an important step to further deepening Philippines-Spain defense relations, as the two countries both endeavor to develop their defense capabilities and promote their shared interest in a rules-based international order,” the DND said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was in Spain to meet his Spanish counterpart, Margaret Robles, in Madrid last Nov. 2.
“The two ministers discussed matters of mutual interest, including the importance of strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, fostering multilateral cooperations, and jointly addressing the global issue of climate change,” the DND said.
Lorenzana said he welcomed the “growing defense relations” between the Philippines and partner countries in Europe, including Spain.
Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to further enrich defense industry collaboration, increase exchange of students, and explore other areas of defense cooperation, the DND said.
Lorenzana will also attend the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Madrid as part of his trip.
The Philippines and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1947. Both countries share a long history, with Spain having colonized the Philippines for centuries.
The two countries signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement in 2019.
The first Philippines-Spain joint defense cooperation committee meeting was held in the same year, leading to an agreement on logistics, defense materiel, armaments and defense industry cooperation, which was a crucial step in government-to-government transactions for defense procurement.
Spain has been a source of equipment for the military’s capability upgrade in recent years. It supplied artillery and a few medium lift aircraft for the Philippine Air Force from Spanish aircraft manufacturer EADS CASA (now Airbus).
Madrid also previously offered Navantia ships to the Philippine Navy.