PH, Italy agree to fast-track talks on new defense deal

Manila: The Philippines and Italy are working to conclude a defense agreement 'at the soonest possible time,' with hopes to sign it as early as 2025, the Philippine Embassy in Italy has said. Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto and Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial committed to work on the early conclusion of the updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation during the latter's courtesy call on Oct. 9. The deal will replace an already expired MOU. 'To facilitate stronger and closer defense ties, both sides agreed to work on the conclusion of an updated defense cooperation MOU between the two countries at the soonest possible time,' the Philippine Embassy in Italy said Tuesday night. Crosetto said the MOU, once signed, would enable the Italian and Philippines armed forces to engage in joint training and education, and cooperate on technology transfer. The MOU would also help both sides explore partnerships in the area of defense industry development. Imperial said bot h governments are now in the 'final stages' of updating the MOU, which he noted could also serve as an 'operationalization of Italy's Indo-Pacific strategy.' 'The new one will most likely include provisions on logistics cooperation and increased interoperability in maritime and air operations. We hope the MOU can be negotiated and signed by next year,' he told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday. During the meeting, both officials had underscored the need for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific to sustain global growth and prosperity. Crosetto said Italy sees the Indo-Pacific as important as the Mediterranean and stressed the urgency of defusing tensions in the region to avoid armed conflict. Imperial said Rome is 'always welcome to conduct freedom of navigation and overflight missions in the South China Sea, following similar naval operations by other European countries'. He also noted Italy's active engagement with the Philippines, particularly with the recent port calls of its naval vessels in Manila. Last July and August, both countries also participated in the Exercise Pitch Black 2024 near Australia, joining Japan, Spain, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Meanwhile, Imperial congratulated Crosetto for the successful Italian presidency of the G7 this year, and cited the 'clear and strong policy direction it is giving to the group in helping manage the conflicts that threaten to escalate uncontrollably throughout the world'. He conveyed Manila's appreciation for the G7's consistent support for the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea as legally binding, and its promotion of a rules-based international order. Source: Philippines News Agency