Brussels, Belgium
December 14, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with President Pedro Sanchez of Spain on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–European Union (EU) Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

The discussion centered on the ongoing security agreement between the Philippines and Spain that regulates the exchange of classified information in the course of bilateral defense cooperation, including but not limited to defense equipment acquisition and transfer of technology.

The meeting also highlighted Spain’s support in strengthening dialogue relations with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and cited the Philippines as a ‘priority country’ to receive national development assistance from Spain.

Spain is one of the countries that recently acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) established in Southeast Asia in 1976, a legally binding code for inter-state relations in the Region and beyond signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and the rest of the ASEAN founding members.

Spain will assume the European Council Presidency from July to December 2023.

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