will meet with Defence
Minister Teodoro on Wednesday in Manila. They will discuss the
strengthening UK – Philippines relationship and shared commitment
to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, the Ministers also
discussed the UK’s recent Integrated Review Refresh and the
importance of maritime security and upholding maritime
law.
The Minister will visit HMS Spey in Legazpi and attend the
closing ceremonies of naval exercise SAMA SAMA, supporting
international defence cooperation and the rules-based
international order. HMS Spey will observe the joint PH-US
maritime exercise, alongside Japan, Australia and Canada.
Together with our allies, the UK is committed to freedom of
navigation.
HMS Spey, the greenest ship in the Royal Navy, is on a five-year
operation to the Indo-Pacific region alongside her sister ship
HMS Tamar. Working with partners, the ship is helping tackle
security challenges and support nations to deal with the impacts
of climate change.
To pay her respects to all those fallen, the Minister will lay a
wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave in the American Cemetery in
Manila. The CWGC work tirelessly to maintain cemeteries around
the world to ensure that the fallen will always be appropriately
remembered.
UK Defence Minister, , said:
The UK remains committed to our relationship with the
Philippines, and I am pleased both to be visiting for the first
time and to be the first UK defence Minister to visit in many
years.
I look forward to visiting Exercise SAMA SAMA, and discussing how
the UK and the Philippines can deepen our defence cooperation as
part of our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
will discuss the UK’s
enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and
security during her visit. The UK Government is committed to
further strengthening ties with the Philippines.
