By Karen Lema

MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines and Germany on Sunday dedicated to signing a defence cooperation association this 12 months, vowing to face for the worldwide rules-based order within the Indo-Pacific area.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro dedicated to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to broaden coaching and bilateral exchanges, discover alternatives to broaden bilateral armaments cooperation and interact in joint initiatives.

The 2 met in Manila throughout the first such go to by a German defence minister, as their international locations mark 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Teodoro mentioned the Philippines, searching for to modernise its army to spice up exterior defence, will likely be “looking to engage Germany as a possible supplier of these capabilities”.

“These are in the command and control, anti-access aerial denial, maritime domain, aerial domain and in higher technologically capable equipment,” Teodoro instructed a press convention with Pistorius.

Manila and Berlin are deepening army ties as tensions have flared in current months between China and the Philippines, which have traded accusations over run-ins in disputed areas of the South China Sea, together with expenses China deliberately rammed Manila’s navy boats significantly injuring a Filipino sailor.

China claims sovereignty over many of the South China Sea, together with areas claimed as unique financial zones by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Everlasting Court docket of Arbitration within the Hague mentioned Beijing’s claims had no authorized foundation. China rejects that call.

“This ruling remains valid, without any exceptions,” mentioned Pistorius. “It is our obligation to strengthen the maritime border and we are living up to it.”

The South China Sea is an important commerce route with greater than $3 trillion in ship-borne commerce passing via it yearly.

Teodoro mentioned the Philippines was not scary China and didn’t search struggle, however reiterated Manila’s stance that the one reason for battle within the waterway “is China’s illegal and unilateral attempt to appropriate most if not all of the South China Sea”.

China has expressed concern concerning the rising ties between NATO members and Asian nations comparable to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, as Washington and its companions broaden alliances and partnerships, together with those who span the globe.

Germany on Friday joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command in South Korea, changing into the 18th nation in a gaggle that helps police the closely fortified border with North Korea and has dedicated to defend the South within the occasion of a struggle.

Pistorius mentioned that transfer was proof of Berlin’s sturdy perception that European safety is carefully linked to safety within the Indo-Pacific area.

Germany’s commitments and engagements within the area “are not directed against anybody,” Pistorius mentioned in Manila. “Instead, we are focussing on maintaining rules-based order, securing freedom of navigation and protecting trade routes.”