High Representative Kaja Kallas and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. have deepened security and defence cooperation, marking a milestone with the adoption of the first-ever European Peace Facility (EPF) assistance measure for the Philippines. Worth EUR 15 million, the measure is also the first EPF initiative in the Indo-Pacific region, aimed at strengthening the maritime domain awareness capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The announcement came during a meeting in Manila on 24 July 2026, where Kallas and Teodoro reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and discussed ways to further enhance bilateral security ties. They welcomed the positive outcomes of the Security and Defence Dialogue launched in June 2025, which has advanced collaboration on maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, and foreign information manipulation and interference.
The EPF assistance measure will improve the Philippine Navy's ability to detect, monitor, and analyse activities within the country's maritime zones, develop a more comprehensive maritime picture, enhance early warning, and support more effective coordination and response by naval and maritime security forces. The measure was adopted by the Council of the European Union following a proposal from the High Representative.
The EUR 15 million investment represents a significant step in EU-Philippines security cooperation, with implications for regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. For the Philippines, the measure directly enhances its maritime security capabilities, addressing challenges in monitoring and responding to activities in its extensive maritime zones. For the EU, it signals a growing strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific, leveraging the EPF as a tool for security partnerships beyond its immediate neighbourhood. The measure also strengthens the EU's role as a security actor in the region, potentially influencing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the South China Sea. However, the relatively modest funding may limit the scale of impact, and the effectiveness will depend on implementation and coordination with existing Philippine capabilities.