THE Philippines and Sweden on Monday discussed the possibility of developing long-term bilateral cooperation amid security issues affecting both countries.

A media brief released on Thursday said Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino met with Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson in Camp Aguinaldo to tackle security issues pertaining to tensions in the South China Sea and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"Both sides looked forward to developing a long-term bilateral cooperation, underscoring the importance of upholding the rules-based international order and strengthening security ties between like-minded countries," Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman director Arsenio Andolong. File Photo

"In relation to defense capability development, the Philippine and Swedish sides also discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Material, updates on the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program and funding requirements, and the Philippine procurement law," Andolong added.

Espino conveyed the Philippines' openness to explore cooperation in technology transfer and research and development to achieve a self-reliant defense posture.

Knutsson has brought up his country's capability to provide cost-effective military equipment, primarily aircraft.

In 2020, Sweden offered its Saab Griffin multi-role aircraft to the Philippines.

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