Brawner, German counterpart discuss ‘military cooperation’
MEETING OF GENERALS AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. at the Munich Security Conference together with Gen. Carsten Breuer, Germany’s chief of defense. —AFP photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday it held talks with its German counterpart in Munich in a bid to strengthen defense ties between the two countries.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. met with Gen. Carsten Breuer, Germany’s chief of defense and senior representative of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), on Feb. 14, the start of the high-level Munich Security Conference which ended on Sunday.
Both officials “reinforced their commitment to closer military cooperation,” the AFP said in an update on Facebook on Sunday.
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The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in key areas, such as cyber warfare, military education and training, and maritime cooperation.
The AFP said the engagement aims to enhance interoperability and capabilities in addressing shared security challenges.
“The strengthened cooperation between the AFP and the German Armed Forces aligns with the Philippines’ broader efforts to fortify international defense partnerships and maintain regional stability,” the AFP said.
French admiral in Manila
Top AFP officials earlier met with Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, French joint commander for Asia Pacific, during his visit to Manila on Feb. 13
Pinget paid his courtesy call at Camp Aguinaldo, ahead of the first-ever visit to the Philippines later this month by the French Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy.
Part of his visit included a meeting with acting AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida, wherein they discussed “potential bilateral activities” as well as modernization and training exchanges, the AFP said.
Pinget also met separately with Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, with the two officials discussing the upcoming visit of the French Carrier Strike Group and the “combined activities” ahead of the port call, according to the Navy.
He also visited Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura where they talked about the possible establishment of an “air working group.”
France is among the countries in talks with the Philippines for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, which will serve as a foundation for further enhancing interoperability.
Port call
On Sunday, a Singaporean Navy ship ended a four-day goodwill visit in Manila.
The RSS Endeavour, an Endurance-class landing ship tank of the Republic of Singapore Navy, was in the country as part of a midshipmen training program.
This was the first time in 26 years that a Singaporean Navy vessel made a port call in Manila, but it has made regular calls at other ports in the country.
Both countries have seen “significant strides” in defense relations over the past two years, Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See was quoted as saying during the reception aboard the ship last Friday.
