More defence talks between the Czech Republic and PH are being planned

PH | More defence talks between the Czech Republic and PH are being planned | MANILA – To show its support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) ongoing modernization programme, the Czech Republic wants to have more exchanges with the Department of National Defence (DND).

The Czech Republic’s ambassador to Manila, Karel Hejč, and DND Undersecretary Irineo Espino met with a group on February 6 at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. In a statement released Thursday night, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said this was the most important part of the meeting.

“The Czech delegation’s courtesy call served as a follow-up to Ambassador Hejč’s introductory call on Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. in December 2023,” he mentioned.

Along with upholding international law, especially international maritime law, Andolong said that the two countries talked about common security issues, as well as the possibility of long-term defence cooperation under the 2017 agreement on defence cooperation and the 2021 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the DND and the Czech Defence Ministry for cooperation in the areas of defence industry and logistics.

“The Czech delegation said again that their country supports modernising the AFP and called attention to their defence products, which include small arms and different types of defence platforms.” It was also said that Ambassador Hejč was eager to work with other governments, look into joint manufacturing arrangements, and offer ways to pay for possible projects.

This year, the DND will host the 2nd Joint Defence Committee (JDC) Meeting on a date that works for both sides, according to Andolong. They are both looking forward to the 5th Asia Defence and Security, Crisis & Disaster Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS) in September. (via PNA)